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Age at School Entry and Human Capital Development: Evidence from Lesotho

Author

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  • Jan-Walter De Neve
  • Ramaele Moshoeshoe
  • Jacob Bor

Abstract

Evidence on school-entry age impacts in lower-income countries is limited. We assess how school starting age affects human capital development in Lesotho, exploiting an enrollment age threshold. Children who start primary school at older ages overcome initial skill deficits as they progress. They are more likely to remain in school, spend less time on economic and household activities, and obtain substantially higher total years of schooling. In adulthood they are more likely to have professional occupations and less likely to be married or have children as teenagers, become HIV infected (men), and experience the death of a child (women).

Suggested Citation

  • Jan-Walter De Neve & Ramaele Moshoeshoe & Jacob Bor, 2026. "Age at School Entry and Human Capital Development: Evidence from Lesotho," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 18(2), pages 330-368, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejapp:v:18:y:2026:i:2:p:330-68
    DOI: 10.1257/app.20230709
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development
    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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