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Does Information Sharing Encourage Participation in Education? Final Report on the Letter Mail Experiment and the Outreach Pilot

Author

Listed:
  • Karhunen, Hannu
  • Kauhanen, Antti
  • Kuhakoski, Jani
  • Riukula, Krista
  • Suhonen, Tuomo
  • Vanhala, Pekka
  • Virtanen, Hanna

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of two different measures in increasing participation in adult education among adults with low educational attainment, using a randomised field experiment. In the first part, an information letter was sent to 50,000 individuals with only basic education, outlining educational options, the benefits of studying, and available financial support. The results indicated that providing general information alone had no effect on starting studies. In the second experiment, service providers visited SMEs and offered tailored educational guidance, organising 1,322 information sessions attended by 2,726 employees. Of these, 1,718 belonged to the target group, with their highest level of education being comprehensive school or upper secondary school. This more personalised and intensive measure increased participation in upper secondary education within the target group by 0.75 percentage points (approximately 8 percent), but also caused a slight decrease in monthly earnings, suggesting a shift in time allocation between studying and working. The study demonstrates that simply disseminating information is insufficient; effectiveness requires more individualised and costlier actions, the benefits and costs of which must be weighed carefully.

Suggested Citation

  • Karhunen, Hannu & Kauhanen, Antti & Kuhakoski, Jani & Riukula, Krista & Suhonen, Tuomo & Vanhala, Pekka & Virtanen, Hanna, 2026. "Does Information Sharing Encourage Participation in Education? Final Report on the Letter Mail Experiment and the Outreach Pilot," ETLA Reports 174, The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy.
    • Handle: RePEc:rif:report:174
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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