Alberto Alesina|Sebastian Hohmann|Stelios Michalopoulos|Elias Papaioannou
Intergenerational Mobility in Africa
Center for Economic and Policy Research|Harvard University|Brown University|London Business School|University of New Brunswick|Center for Economic and Policy Research|Harvard University|Brown University|London Business School|University of New Brunswick|Center for Economic and Policy Research|Brown University|Harvard University|London Business School|University of New Brunswick|London Business School|Harvard University|Brown University|University of New Brunswick|Center for Economic and Policy Research
examine intergenerational mobility im educational attainment africa since independence using census data first map im across 27 countries 2800 regions documenting wide crosscountry especially withincountry heterogeneity inertia looms large differences literacy old generation explain half observed spatial disparities im ruralurban divide substantial though conspicuous countries evidence systematic gender gaps im second characterize geography im finding colonial investments railroads christian missions well proximity capitals coastline strongest correlates third ask whether regional differences mobility reflect spatial sorting independent role isolate two focus children whose families moved young comparing siblings looking moves triggered displacement shocks using historical migrations predict movingfamilies destinations establish selection considerable regional exposure effects play extra year spent highmobility region age 12 5 significantly raises likelihood children uneducated parents complete primary school overall evidence suggests geographic historical factors laid seeds spatial disparities im cemented sorting independent impact regions