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The effect of height on earnings : is stature just a proxy for cognitive and non-cognitive skills ?

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  • Bossavie,Laurent Loic Yves
  • Alderman,Harold H.
  • Giles,John T.
  • Mete,Cem

Abstract

This study investigates the degree to which the association of height and earnings in Pakistan is independent of other cognitive and socioemotional skills. While taller workers are regularly observed to earn more, they commonly have higher cognitive ability. Thus, there is debate concerning the independent contribution of stature. The study explores the relationship between height and earnings when a measure of cognitive ability -- performance on Raven's matrices -- and an index of socioemotional capacity are included. The study finds that there is only modest attenuation of the coefficient of height?treated as endogenous or exogenous?when these additional indicators of human capital are included.

Suggested Citation

  • Bossavie,Laurent Loic Yves & Alderman,Harold H. & Giles,John T. & Mete,Cem, 2017. "The effect of height on earnings : is stature just a proxy for cognitive and non-cognitive skills ?," Policy Research Working Paper Series 8254, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:8254
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Gender and Economic Policy; Gender and Economics; Gender and Poverty; Nutrition; Economics and Gender;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J10 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - General
    • J70 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - General

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