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In Utero Ramadan Exposure and Children's Academic Performance

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  • Douglas Almond
  • Bhashkar Mazumder
  • Reyn Ewijk

Abstract

We consider the effects of daytime fasting by pregnant women during the lunar month of Ramadan on their children's test scores at age seven. Using English register data, we find that scores are .05 to .08 standard deviations lower for Pakistani and Bangladeshi students exposed to Ramadan in early pregnancy. These estimates are downward biased to the extent that Ramadan is not universally observed. We conclude that the effects of prenatal investments on test scores are comparable to many conventional educational interventions but are likely to be more cost effective and less subject to "fade out". gains.
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Suggested Citation

  • Douglas Almond & Bhashkar Mazumder & Reyn Ewijk, 2015. "In Utero Ramadan Exposure and Children's Academic Performance," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 125(589), pages 1501-1533, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:econjl:v:125:y:2015:i:589:p:1501-1533
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1111/ecoj.2015.125.issue-589
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    References listed on IDEAS

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