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Revisiting the returns to education during rapid structural and rural transformation in Thailand: A regression discontinuity approach

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  • Upalat Korwatanasakul

Abstract

This paper estimates returns to schooling in Thailand, applying a regression discontinuity approach to the change in the compulsory schooling law in 1978. This law helped to enhance human capital investment on the eve of rapid structural transformation. The returns to schooling based on our instrumental variables estimation were around eight per cent, while ordinary least squares (OLS) overestimated such returns. Returns were higher in urban areas, service sectors, and underdeveloped northern regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Upalat Korwatanasakul, 2019. "Revisiting the returns to education during rapid structural and rural transformation in Thailand: A regression discontinuity approach," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2019-105, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2019-105
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jacek Liwiński, 2020. "The Impact of Compulsory Schooling on Hourly Wage: Evidence From the 1999 Education Reform in Poland," Evaluation Review, , vol. 44(5-6), pages 437-470, October.
    2. Liwiński, Jacek, 2018. "The Impact of Compulsory Schooling on Earnings. Evidence from the 1999 Education Reform in Poland," GLO Discussion Paper Series 253, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    3. Ã lvaro Choi, 2023. "The Impact of Compulsory Schooling Expansion on Educational Outcomes: The Case of Indonesia," UB School of Economics Working Papers 2023/452, University of Barcelona School of Economics.
    4. Liwiński, Jacek, 2018. "The Impact of Compulsory Education on Employment and Earnings in a Transition Economy," GLO Discussion Paper Series 193, Global Labor Organization (GLO).

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    Keywords

    Returns to education; Mincer equation; Ability bias; Regression discontinuity; Thailand;
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