Research

 

Job Market Paper

“The Impact of Conditional Cash Transfers on Labor Supply: New Evidence from Brazil’s Bolsa Familia.”, Revisions requested, Journal of Development Effectiveness.

Conditional cash transfer (CCT) programs have been widely implemented over the past two decades, and they have become an important part of the social safety net in many developing countries. A recurrent question, however, is whether transfers might affect individual participation in the labor market by generating disincentives to work. Therefore, this paper aims to answer the following question: Does Brazil’s Bolsa Familia conditional cash transfer program discourage individuals from working, or at least from searching for a job? This study estimates the effects of Bolsa Familia on labor force participation and weekly hours worked using a fixed effects approach applied to a census tract-level panel data set based on the Brazilian National Household Survey (PNAD) from 2001 to 2009. The results show that, in general, participation in Bolsa Familia increases labor supply on the extensive margin, but also marginally reduces labor supply on the intensive margin. It has a positive impact on both employment and unemployment rates. The results also suggest an increase in informal employment at the expense of formal sector employment. In conclusion, the estimates suggest that the cash transfers do not introduce disincentives to work.

Publications in Peer-Reviewed Journals

“The Impact of Extended School Days on Academic Outcomes: Evidence from Brazil.” (with Claudia Vidigal), Education Economics, 30(4):426-450, 2022.

Working Papers

“Need-based Grants in the Development World: The Impact of the Universidade para Todos (ProUni) Program on Educational Outcomes of Brazilian College Students.” (with Claudia Vidigal), Under review, Education Economics.

“Conditional Cash Transfers and Educational Outcomes: The Impact of Brazil’s Bolsa Familia on Upper Secondary School Students.” (with Claudia Vidigal), Under review, Oxford Review of Education.

“Inclusive Education and Academic Performance: Peer Effects and the Impact on Students with Disabilities.” (with Claudia Vidigal and Joilson Dias), Under review, International Journal of Inclusive Education.

“Affirmative Action in Brazilian Universities: The Impact of Racial and Low-Income Quotas on Academic Performance Based on a Panel Data Approach.” (with Claudia Vidigal), Under review, Evaluation Review.

“Extended School Days and Academic Performance: Evidence from Brazilian Schools.” (with Claudia Vidigal and Joilson Dias)