Investigating the Long-Term Effects of Child Labor on Household Poverty and Food Insecurity in Ghana

Monica Puoma Lambon-Quayefio and Nkechi Owoo
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Monica Puoma Lambon-Quayefio: University of Ghana

JODE - Journal of Demographic Economics, 2021, vol. 87, issue 4, 561-587

Abstract: This paper explores the extent to which child labor perpetuates the cycle of household poverty, as well as food insecurity using the sixth round of the Ghana Living Standards Survey. The study employs a counterfactual framework and an endogenous treatment effect econometric technique to accurately examine the causal link between child labor and long-term household poverty and food security. Results suggest a positive relationship between early paid work and long-term poverty and food insecurity. This finding provides empirical evidence to indicate that child labor has the potential to create and perpetuate poverty traps. From a policy perspective, findings from this study also contribute to the modern policy debates surrounding the achievement of the sustainable development goals on reducing poverty and hunger in developing countries.

Keywords: Child labor; Endogenous treatment; Food insecurity; Poverty trap (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D10 I30 J10 Q12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021-12-01
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https://doi.org/10.1017/dem.2020.29 (application/pdf)

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Journal Article: Investigating the long-term effects of child labor on household poverty and food insecurity in Ghana (2021)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ctl:louvde:v:87:y:2021:i:4:p:561-587

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