Drug Battles and School Achievement: Evidence from Rio de Janeiro's Favelas

A-Tier
Journal: Review of Economics and Statistics
Year: 2017
Volume: 99
Issue: 2
Pages: 213-228

Authors (2)

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

This paper examines the effects of gunfights between drug gangs in Rio de Janeiro's favelas on student achievement. We explore variation in violence that occurs across time and space when gangs battle over territories. Within-school estimates indicate that students' scores are lower in math in years in which they are exposed to drug battles. The effect increases with conflict intensity, duration, and proximity to exam dates and decreases with the distance between the school and the conflict location. School supply is an important mechanism. Gunfights are associated with higher teacher absenteeism, principal turnover, and temporary school closings.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:tpr:restat:v:99:y:2017:i:2:p:213-228
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-29