Speaker
Description
We examine how a modest unconditional cash transfer policy affects child labor and schooling during periods of economic crisis by studying Turkey's Family Support Program, launched in 2022. Using a regression discontinuity design based on the program's per capita income eligibility threshold, we analyze the program's short-term effects within six months of implementation. Despite the program's relatively modest transfer amounts—approximately one-third of the monthly minimum wage—we find significant reductions in children's participation in family businesses and agricultural work. Notably, these labor reductions occurred without corresponding increases in school enrollment or time spent on educational activities, which were already high at baseline. We also find improvements in children's emotional well-being and daily protein consumption, suggesting that even a modest transfer policy can enhance child welfare through multiple channels.
| Keyword | Impact Evaluation |
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