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Early childhood human capital formation at scale

Author

Listed:
  • Bos, Johannes M.
  • Shonchoy, Abu S.
  • Ravindran, Saravana
  • Khan, Akib

Abstract

Can governments leverage existing service-delivery platforms to scale early childhood development (ECD) interventions? We experimentally study a large-scale, low-cost home-visiting intervention – providing materials and counseling – integrated into Bangladesh’s national nutrition program without extra financial incentives for service providers (SPs). We find SPs partially substitute away from nutritional to ECD counseling. Intent-to-treat estimates show positive impacts on child’s cognition (0.17 SD), language (0.23 SD), and socio-emotional scores (0.12-0.14 SD). Wasting and underweight rates decline. Older siblings’ primary school attendance increases as well. Improved maternal agency, complementary parental investments, and higher take-up of the pre-existing nutrition program are important mechanisms. We estimate a sizeable internal rate-of-return of 18.9%.

Suggested Citation

  • Bos, Johannes M. & Shonchoy, Abu S. & Ravindran, Saravana & Khan, Akib, 2024. "Early childhood human capital formation at scale," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 231(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:pubeco:v:231:y:2024:i:c:s0047272723002281
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2023.105046
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