General Equilibrium Effects of Cash Transfers: Experimental Evidence From Kenya

S-Tier
Journal: Econometrica
Year: 2022
Volume: 90
Issue: 6
Pages: 2603-2643

Authors (5)

Dennis Egger (not in RePEc) Johannes Haushofer (not in RePEc) Edward Miguel (University of California-Berke...) Paul Niehaus (not in RePEc) Michael Walker (University of California-Berke...)

Score contribution per author:

1.609 = (α=2.01 / 5 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

How large economic stimuli generate individual and aggregate responses is a central question in economics, but has not been studied experimentally. We provided one‐time cash transfers of about USD 1000 to over 10,500 poor households across 653 randomized villages in rural Kenya. The implied fiscal shock was over 15 percent of local GDP. We find large impacts on consumption and assets for recipients. Importantly, we document large positive spillovers on non‐recipient households and firms, and minimal price inflation. We estimate a local transfer multiplier of 2.5. We interpret welfare implications through the lens of a simple household optimization framework.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:wly:emetrp:v:90:y:2022:i:6:p:2603-2643
Journal Field
General
Author Count
5
Added to Database
2026-01-26