Learning Spillovers in Conditional Welfare Programmes: Evidence from Brazil

A-Tier
Journal: Economic Journal
Year: 2020
Volume: 130
Issue: 628
Pages: 853-879

Authors (3)

Fernanda Brollo (not in RePEc) Katja Maria Kaufmann (CESifo) Eliana La Ferrara (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

1.341 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

We study spillovers in learning about the enforcement of Bolsa Familia, a programme conditioning benefits on children's school attendance. Using original administrative data, we find that individuals' compliance responds to penalties incurred by their classmates and by siblings' classmates (in other grades/schools). As the severity of penalties increases with repeated noncompliance, the response is larger when peers are punished for 'higher stages' than the family's, consistent with learning. Individuals also respond to penalties experienced by neighbours who are exogenously scheduled to receive notices on the same day. Our results point to social multiplier effects of enforcement via learning.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:econjl:v:130:y:2020:i:628:p:853-879.
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25