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Low Social Mobility in Bolivia: Causes and Consequences for Development

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  • Andersen, Lykke Eg

    (IISEC, Universidad Católica Boliviana)

Abstract

This paper investigates social mobility in Bolivia. It is an issue of high policy relevance as the degree of social mobility can have strong implications for both poverty reducation and long-run growth. Regressions based on household survey data show that social mobility is very low in Bolivia, even by Latin American standards. This is mainly caused by an inadequate public education system, a high degree of assortative mating, and insufficient rural-urban migration. As a consequence, poverty tends to be fairly persistent, with many families remaining poor year after year and generation after generation. In addition, low social mobility implies an inefficient use of innate talent as well as poor incentives for work and study. This prevents the Bolivian economy from reaching its potential growth rates. The paper provides several recommendations for policies that could help increase social mobility, thereby reducing poverty and increasing long-run growth. Instituto de Investigaciones Socio - Económicas; IISEC

Suggested Citation

  • Andersen, Lykke Eg, 2001. "Low Social Mobility in Bolivia: Causes and Consequences for Development," Documentos de trabajo 3/2001, Instituto de Investigaciones Socio-Económicas (IISEC), Universidad Católica Boliviana.
    • Handle: RePEc:ris:iisecd:2001_003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Andersen, Lykke Eg, 2000. "Social Mobility in Latin America," Documentos de trabajo 3/2000, Instituto de Investigaciones Socio-Económicas (IISEC), Universidad Católica Boliviana.
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    Cited by:

    1. Vargas, Martin, 2005. "Migración Municipal en Bolivia: Un Enfoque Espacial [Migration at municipal level in Bolivia: A spatial approach (spanish)]," MPRA Paper 6109, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Krakowski, Michael, 2003. "Poverty reduction strategy papers in Latin America: The case of Bolivia," HWWA Reports 230, Hamburg Institute of International Economics (HWWA).
    3. Krakowski, Michael, 2003. "Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers in Latin America: The Case of Bolivia," Report Series 26106, Hamburg Institute of International Economics.
    4. Fabián Soria, 2008. "The impact of Community-Based Ecotourism Projects in Amboró National Park," Development Research Working Paper Series 03/2008, Institute for Advanced Development Studies.
    5. Lima, Luis Fernando, 2007. "Análisis de la Fertilidad a partir de las Encuestas de Hogares 1999 - 2004," Documentos de trabajo 4/2007, Instituto de Investigaciones Socio-Económicas (IISEC), Universidad Católica Boliviana.
    6. Laure Pasquier-Doumer, 2004. "Vers plus d'égalité d'opportunités scolaires ? Évolution de la mobilité scolaire intergénérationnelle au Pérou depuis un siècle," Revue d’économie du développement, De Boeck Université, vol. 12(1), pages 101-134.
    7. Harper, Caroline & Marcus, Rachel & Moore, Karen, 2003. "Enduring Poverty and the Conditions of Childhood: Lifecourse and Intergenerational Poverty Transmissions," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 31(3), pages 535-554, March.
    8. Rainer Thiele, 2003. "The social impact of structural adjustment in Bolivia," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 15(3), pages 299-319.
    9. Krishnakumar, Jaya & Nogales, Ricardo, 2020. "Education, skills and a good job: A multidimensional econometric analysis," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Social Mobility; Economic Growth; Public Policy; Bolivia; Instituto de Investigaciones Socio - Económicas; IISEC;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Z00 - Other Special Topics - - General - - - General

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