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The Effect of Welfare Payments on Work in a Middle-Income Country

Author

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  • Bosch, Mariano
  • Schady, Norbert
  • Araujo, María Caridad

Abstract

We study the impact of welfare payments in Ecuador on the probability that women and men work, and on whether they are employed in the formal or informal sectors. Our analysis is based on two distinct identification strategies and two separate sources of data spanning more than 10 years. We find no evidence that welfare discouraged work. However, among women, welfare payments led to reductions in social security contributions (which are mandated for salaried workers) and payment of VAT and income taxes (which are mandated for the self-employed and firm owners), although the magnitude of these effects is small.

Suggested Citation

  • Bosch, Mariano & Schady, Norbert & Araujo, María Caridad, 2017. "The Effect of Welfare Payments on Work in a Middle-Income Country," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 8509, Inter-American Development Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:idb:brikps:8509
    DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18235/0000809
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. David Coady & Margaret Grosh & John Hoddinott, 2004. "Targeting of Transfers in Developing Countries : Review of Lessons and Experience," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 14902, October.
    2. McCrary, Justin, 2008. "Manipulation of the running variable in the regression discontinuity design: A density test," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 142(2), pages 698-714, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Joan Vilá, 2019. "Respuestas en los ingresos frente a un programa de transferencias monetarias: evidencia de un notch a partir de registros administrativos de Uruguay," Documentos de Trabajo (working papers) 19-07, Instituto de Economía - IECON.
    2. Verónica Amarante & Martín Lavalleja & Luana Méndez, 2023. "Tarjeta Uruguay Social: diseño, implementación y posibles efectos," Documentos de Trabajo (working papers) 23-11, Instituto de Economía - IECON.
    3. Bosch, Mariano & Schady, Norbert, 2019. "The effect of welfare payments on work: Regression discontinuity evidence from Ecuador," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 17-27.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • H55 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Social Security and Public Pensions
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs

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