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Can a low emission zone improve academic performance? Evidence from a natural experiment in the city of Madrid

Author

Listed:
  • Manuel T. Valdés
  • Mar C. Espadafor
  • Risto Conte Keivabu

    (Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany)

Abstract

-In late 2018, the government of Madrid instituted a low emission zone (LEZ) in the central district of the city, aiming primarily to alleviate traffic-related emissions and enhance air quality. Extensive research has documented the adverse effects of air pollution on academic performance. Consequently, the success of Madrid’s LEZ in reducing traffic-related emissions could potentially translate into improved performance among students schooled in the designated area. Through a difference-in-differences design, we demonstrate the policy's effectiveness in improving air quality during the four years following its implementation. Subsequently, we show a noteworthy increase of 0.17 standard deviations in the average EvAU scores (high-stakes examinations for university admittance) of high schools within the LEZ, a crucial advantage for gaining entry into the most competitive university programs. Importantly, our findings reveal positive spillover effects in the surroundings of the LEZ area and a larger effect the longer and earlier the exposure to cleaner air. In sum, our study offers compelling empirical evidence of the beneficial educational impacts resulting from the implementation of a low emission zone successful in improving air quality.

Suggested Citation

  • Manuel T. Valdés & Mar C. Espadafor & Risto Conte Keivabu, 2023. "Can a low emission zone improve academic performance? Evidence from a natural experiment in the city of Madrid," MPIDR Working Papers WP-2023-048, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany.
  • Handle: RePEc:dem:wpaper:wp-2023-048
    DOI: 10.4054/MPIDR-WP-2023-048
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    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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