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Education and Economic Isolation: The Gaza Blockade's Role in Shaping Returns to Education in Palestine

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Listed:
  • Yousuf Daas
  • Sameh Hallaq
  • Danilo Leite Dalmon
  • Jennifer Olmsted

Abstract

This study examines the impact of the Gaza blockade on private returns to education, with a focus on regional and gender disparities in the Palestinian territories. Using data from the Palestinian Labor Force Survey (2000-2014). Results show that, generally, education yields higher returns in Gaza compared to the West Bank. Gender disparities are pronounced, with women consistently experiencing higher returns to education than men despite systemic barriers to equitable labor market participation. The Gaza blockade itself negatively impacted wages, years of schooling, and returns to education, though women exhibited resilience by increasing their educational investment during this period. These findings show the importance of addressing structural barriers and promoting inclusive policies to mitigate the long-term consequences of conflict on human capital development.

Suggested Citation

  • Yousuf Daas & Sameh Hallaq & Danilo Leite Dalmon & Jennifer Olmsted, 2025. "Education and Economic Isolation: The Gaza Blockade's Role in Shaping Returns to Education in Palestine," Economics Working Paper Archive wp_1090, Levy Economics Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:lev:wrkpap:wp_1090
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sami H. Miaari, 2020. "An analysis of the public–private wage differential in the Palestinian labour market," Defence and Peace Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 31(3), pages 289-314, April.
    2. Daoud, Yousef, 2005. "Gender gap in returns to schooling in Palestine," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 24(6), pages 633-649, December.
    3. Cui, Ying & Martins, Pedro S., 2021. "What drives social returns to education? A meta-analysis," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    4. Etkes, Haggay & Zimring, Assaf, 2015. "When trade stops: Lessons from the Gaza blockade 2007–2010," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 95(1), pages 16-27.
    5. Das, Smita & Kotikula, Aphichoke, 2019. "Gender-Based Employment Segregation: Understanding Causes and Policy Interventions," Jobs Group Papers, Notes, and Guides 30947812, The World Bank.
    6. Sameh Hallaq & Yousuf Daas, 2024. "The impact of climate change on the Palestinian sectoral reallocation of labor," International Review of Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(5), pages 505-539, September.
    7. Budig, Michelle J. & Lim, Misun & Hodges, Melissa J., 2021. "Racial and gender pay disparities: The role of education," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 98, pages 1-1.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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