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Field
Abstract
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Before
Many developing-economy labor markets feature persistent spatial gaps in real income, which are substantial even after accounting for workers’ skills. This suggests that labor mobility is too low to capture the economic benefits of migration. A possible explanation is that migration is risky, particularly for poor households. Social protection programs thus have the potential to facilitate migration by easing financial constraints. We study the Public Distribution System (PDS) in India, which entitles 66% of the population to subsidized food grain. We randomly inform a representative set of around 70,000 beneficiary households across 18 Indian states about a recent scheme to allow migrants to collect food ration across the country, rather than being restricted to a PDS shop in their hometown. Data we collected prior to the experiment show that awareness of the program is extremely low. We will test whether learning about ration portability increases migration and improves economic well-being.
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After
Many developing-economy labor markets feature persistent spatial gaps in real income, which are substantial even after accounting for workers’ skills. This suggests that labor mobility is too low to capture the economic benefits of migration. A possible explanation is that migration is risky, particularly for poor households. Social protection programs thus have the potential to facilitate migration by easing financial constraints. We study the Public Distribution System (PDS) in India, which entitles 66% of the population to subsidized food grain. We randomly inform a representative set of around 62,000 beneficiary households across 18 Indian states about a recent scheme to allow migrants to collect food ration across the country, rather than being restricted to a PDS shop in their hometown. Data we collected prior to the experiment show that awareness of the program is extremely low. We will test whether learning about ration portability increases migration and improves economic well-being.
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Last Published
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Before
October 20, 2021 10:36 AM
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After
March 30, 2022 06:43 PM
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Primary Outcomes (End Points)
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Before
Total emigration, family economic well-being
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After
Total emigration
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Primary Outcomes (Explanation)
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Before
We will measure total emigration as the number of individuals who are either baseline or new emigrants. We will also report a dummy measure equal to 1 if any family member is a baseline or new emigrant. We will analyze an economic well-being index comprising secondary outcomes 6--11, constructed as in Anderson 2008.
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After
We will measure total emigration as the number of individuals who are either baseline or new emigrants. We will also report a dummy measure equal to 1 if any family member is a baseline or new emigrant.
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Planned Number of Clusters
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Before
Approximately 2,386 clusters
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After
Approximately 1,740 clusters
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Planned Number of Observations
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Before
Approximately 71,453 households
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After
Approximately 62,130 households
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Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
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Before
Treatment: 1,186 clusters, 35,993 households
Control: 1,200 clusters, 35,460 households
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After
Treatment: 892 clusters, 30,674 households
Control: 848 clusters, 31,456 households
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Power calculation: Minimum Detectable Effect Size for Main Outcomes
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Before
at 90% power and 1% significance, our minimum detectable effect for the increase in the share of households with a migrant is about 1 percentage point off a base of 45% (std dev = 0.498). That is, we are powered to detect a change from 45% to 46% or higher. We do not yet have data to estimate the MDE for the well-being index. Instead, our minimum detectable effect for monthly per adult equivalent household consumption is 2.4 rupees on a base of 137 (about 2%, std dev = 76). Our minimum detectable effect for monthly per adult equivalent household income is 9.5 rupees on a base of 261 (about 4%, std dev = 287).
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After
At 90% power and 1% significance, our minimum detectable effect for the increase in the share of households with a migrant is about 1 percentage point off a base of 45% (std dev = 0.498). That is, we are powered to detect a change from 45% to 46% or higher. Our minimum detectable effect for monthly per adult equivalent household consumption is 2.9 rupees on a base of 137 (about 2%, std dev = 76). Our minimum detectable effect for monthly per adult equivalent household income is 11.4 rupees on a base of 261 (about 4%, std dev = 287).
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Secondary Outcomes (End Points)
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Before
Knowledge of ration portability, planned new emigration, new emigration, urban emigration, inter-state and inter-district emigration, family earned income, family total consumption, occupational upgrading, subjective financial well-being, food security, ration claiming, job search efforts, remittances.
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After
Knowledge of ration portability, planned new emigration, new emigration, urban emigration, inter-state and inter-district emigration, family earned income, family total consumption, occupational upgrading, subjective financial well-being, food security, ration claiming, job search efforts, remittances, index of economic well-being, emigration within high migration propensity households.
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