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Air pollution and education in the Global South: Fine particulates reduce high-stakes test scores in Bogotá

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  • Laura Villalobos
  • Allen Blackman

Abstract

We use instrumental variables and individual-level fixed effects to identify the effect of ambient air pollution on scores of tests taken by students in Bogotá, Colombia, who eventually attend college. We find that a one standard deviation increase in fine particulate matter reduces overall scores by 8.2% of a standard deviation. Our findings add to the evidence on the effects of air pollution on educational outcomes in middle-income countries, where air pollution is most severe. A meta-analysis of comparable studies suggests that the effects are larger in middle-income versus high-income countries, suggesting that the level of economic development moderates the effect of air pollution on high-stakes test scores.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura Villalobos & Allen Blackman, 2026. "Air pollution and education in the Global South: Fine particulates reduce high-stakes test scores in Bogotá," Applied Economics Letters, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 33(12), pages 1986-1990, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:apeclt:v:33:y:2026:i:12:p:1986-1990
    DOI: 10.1080/13504851.2025.2459883
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