Randomizing religion: the impact of Protestant evangelicalism on economic outcomes

Bryan, Gharad, Choi, James J and Karlan, Dean (2018) Randomizing religion: the impact of Protestant evangelicalism on economic outcomes. . London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK.

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Abstract

We study the causal impact of religiosity through a randomized evaluation of an evangelical Protestant Christian values and theology education program. We analyze outcomes for 6,276 ultra-poor Filipino households six months after the program ended. We find increases in religiosity and income, no statistically significant changes in total labor supply, consumption, food security, or life satisfaction, and a decrease in perceived relative economic status. Exploratory analysis suggests that the income treatment effect may operate through increasing grit. We conclude that this church-based program may represent a robust method of building non-cognitive skills and reducing poverty among adults in developing countries.

Item Type:	Monograph (Working Paper)
Additional Information:	© 2018 The Authors
Divisions:	Economics
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BR Christianity
JEL classification:	D - Microeconomics > D1 - Household Behavior and Family Economics > D12 - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I3 - Welfare and Poverty > I30 - General O - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth > O1 - Economic Development > O12 - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
Date Deposited:	22 Nov 2019 11:36
Last Modified:	15 Sep 2023 23:48
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/102590

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