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Time-saving appliances and educational pitfalls: Evidence from Pakistan

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  • Malhi, Fareena Noor
  • Hassan, Hashibul
  • Su, Qinghe

Abstract

This study examines the impact of access to time-saving appliances (TSA) on children's educational outcomes in rural Pakistan, with a particular focus on school retention, which reflects students' ability to remain enrolled and progress through the education system. Using village-level ownership in households without school-aged children as an instrument, this study identifies a causal link between time-saving appliances (TSA) ownership –specifically refrigerators and washing machines – and improved school retention among children. Our findings indicate that owning TSAs reduces overall dropout rates by 17 percentage points and increases years of schooling by 1.62 years. These effects are significantly stronger for girls, whose dropout rates decline by 43 percentage points, while their years of schooling increase by 2.76 years. Furthermore, heterogeneity analysis reveals that the effects are strongest in households where parental educational aspirations exceed the median. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers aiming to enhance educational retention and address gender disparities in Pakistan's education system.

Suggested Citation

  • Malhi, Fareena Noor & Hassan, Hashibul & Su, Qinghe, 2025. "Time-saving appliances and educational pitfalls: Evidence from Pakistan," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eneeco:v:147:y:2025:i:c:s0140988325004232
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eneco.2025.108599
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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