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Published Article

Childcare, Labor Supply, and Business Development: Experimental Evidence from Uganda

We randomly offered a childcare subsidy, an equivalent cash grant, or both to mothers of three-to-five-year-old children. The childcare subsidy substantially increased the labor supply and earnings of single mothers, highlighting the importance of time constraints for them. Among couples, childcare did not affect mothers’ labor market outcomes but instead increased fathers’ salaried employment. At the household level, childcare led to higher income and consumption and improved child development. Cash grants positively affected mothers’ labor supply and income irrespective of the household structure, suggesting the general importance of credit constraints for women’s business development.

Title Childcare, Labor Supply, and Business Development: Experimental Evidence from Uganda
Author
  • Kjetil Bjorvatn
  • Selim Gulesci
  • Denise Ferris
  • Arne Nasgowtiz
  • Vincent Somville
  • Lore Vandewalle
Published in American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
Publication Date 02/04/2025
Thematic AreaFertility & Labour markets
Project Returns to Childcare and Capital: Experimental Evidence from Uganda
See Published Article

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