Building Opportunity: The Intergenerational Effects of Chilean School Construction

Adrienne Lucas and Patrick McEwan

No 35042, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: In 1965–1966, Chile built and staffed thousands of new primary classrooms in supply-constrained communities. Using a quasi-experimental design and large census samples, we show that childhood exposure to school construction substantially improved the schooling and labor market outcomes of adults and closed a persistent female disadvantage in school attainment. Women’s exposure to the policy had large intergenerational spillovers on their children’s on-time grade progression and completed schooling. The marginal value of public funds is 13, including direct effects on adults and intergenerational spillovers.

JEL-codes: H52 I24 I25 I28 J16 O15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-05
Note: CH DEV ED LS PE
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