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Non-Formal Education and Life Satisfaction

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  • Rupieper, Li Kathrin Kaja

    (Leibniz University Hannover)

  • Thomsen, Stephan

    (Leibniz University of Hannover)

Abstract

Lifelong learning is increasingly recognized as important for individual well-being, but causal evidence on this relationship remains scarce. This paper evaluates the effects of non-formal adult education on life satisfaction by exploiting the substantial expansion of courses at East German Volkshochschulen (VHS) following reunification. Combining individual well-being data from SOEP with administrative VHS data, we use quasi-random variation in individuals' exposure to courses to identify intention-to-treat effects. Estimation results denote small but significant and robust effects of VHS education on life satisfaction. Calculations of average treatment-on-the-treated effects suggest considerably stronger impacts among actual course participants. We furthermore reveal effect heterogeneity across demographic groups. In contrast to formal education, which is commonly found to raise aspirations, we find no corresponding effect of VHS education. Overall, our findings suggest that non-formal courses and training provide an easily accessible, low-cost means of adaptation in times of transformation.

Suggested Citation

  • Rupieper, Li Kathrin Kaja & Thomsen, Stephan, 2026. "Non-Formal Education and Life Satisfaction," IZA Discussion Papers 18474, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18474
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Van Landeghem, Bert, 2014. "A test based on panel refreshments for panel conditioning in stated utility measures," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 124(2), pages 236-238.
    2. Youxing Zhang & Peter Howley & Clemens Hetschko, 2025. "Happy citizens trust their rulers," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 38(3), pages 1-28, September.
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    JEL classification:

    • H52 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Education
    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • N34 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Europe: 1913-
    • P29 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - Other

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