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The short-term impact of crime on school enrollment and school choice: evidence from El Salvador

Author

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  • Dahbura, Juan Nelson Martínez

Abstract

This paper employs variations in crime rates, attributed to an unprecedented countrywide truce between gangs in El Salvador in 2012, to evaluate the short-term impact of homicides and extortions on the education choices of Salvadoran households. Results reveal that the reduction in homicide rates due to the truce were associated with a migration within the education system, from public to private institutions, among boys aged fifteen to twenty-two years. The fluctuations in homicide rates were also associated with a lower school attendance for girls aged seven to fourteen years, especially due to a lower public school enrollment. No significant association between fluctuations in extortion rates and education choices was observed.

Suggested Citation

  • Dahbura, Juan Nelson Martínez, 2020. "The short-term impact of crime on school enrollment and school choice: evidence from El Salvador," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 123364, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:123364
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    File URL: https://researchonline.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/123364/
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    JEL classification:

    • D13 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Production and Intrahouse Allocation
    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General

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