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Estimating the Production Function for Human Capital: Results from a Randomized Control Trial in Colombia

Author

Listed:
  • Orazio Attanasio

    (University College London & Institute for Fiscal Studies)

  • Sarah Cattan

    (Institute for Fiscal Studies)

  • Emla Fitzsimons

    (UCL Institute of Education & Institute for Fiscal Studies)

  • Costas Meghir

    () (Cowles Foundation, Yale University)

  • Marta Rubio-Codina

    (Institute for Fiscal Studies & Inter-American Development Bank)

Abstract

We examine the channels through which a randomized early childhood intervention in Colombia led to signi?cant gains in cognitive and socio-emotional skills among a sample of disadvantaged children aged 12 to 24 months at baseline. We estimate the determinants of parents’ material and time investments in these children and evaluate the impact of the treatment on such investments. We then estimate the production functions for cognitive and socio-emotional skills. The e?ects of the program can be explained by increases in parental investments, emphasizing the importance of parenting interventions at an early age.

Suggested Citation

  • Orazio Attanasio & Sarah Cattan & Emla Fitzsimons & Costas Meghir & Marta Rubio-Codina, 2015. "Estimating the Production Function for Human Capital: Results from a Randomized Control Trial in Colombia," Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers 1987R2, Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics, Yale University, revised Jul 2018.
    • Handle: RePEc:cwl:cwldpp:1987r2
    Note: Includes Supplimental Material
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Early childhood development; Human capital; Poverty alleviation; Nonlinear factor models;

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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