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The Effects of Education on Corruption: Evidence from Vietnam's University Expansion

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  • Malesky, Edmund J.
  • Mattsson, Martin
  • Vu, Khoa
  • Zhang, Liaoliang

Abstract

Education and corruption are negatively correlated at the cross-national level, but little is known about the causal relationship between the two. We combine newly-collected data on timing and locations of Vietnam’s national expansion of universities with detailed survey data on experiences of corruption from over 170,000 respondents in 320 districts across 12 years. Using staggered difference-in-differences, we show that cohorts exposed to the university expansion are 78% more likely to have a university education. However, this increase neither translates into fewer individuals being affected by corruption nor increases the propensity to denounce corrupt officials. Instead, we find that education increases exposure to corruption at the individual level. The mechanism for this increase that is most consistent with our data is that education raises household income and higher income leads to more bribe payments.

Suggested Citation

  • Malesky, Edmund J. & Mattsson, Martin & Vu, Khoa & Zhang, Liaoliang, 2026. "The Effects of Education on Corruption: Evidence from Vietnam's University Expansion," CEPR Discussion Papers 21302, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:21302
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption
    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development

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