Randomizing Religion: The Impact of Protestant Evangelism on Economic Outcomes

Gharad T. Bryan, James Choi and Dean Karlan

No 24278, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: We study the causal impact of religiosity through a randomized evaluation of an evangelical Protestant Christian values and theology education program delivered to thousands of ultra-poor Filipino households. Six months after the program ended, treated households have higher religiosity and income; no statistically significant differences in total labor supply, consumption, food security, or life satisfaction; and lower perceived relative economic status. Exploratory analysis suggests that the income treatment effect may operate through increasing grit. Thirty months after the program ended, significant differences in the intensity of religiosity disappear, but those in the treatment group are less likely to be Catholic and more likely to be Protestant, and there is some mixed evidence that their consumption and perceived relative economic status are higher.

JEL-codes: D12 I30 O12 Z12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018-02
Note: DEV EH LS
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

Published as Gharad Bryan & James J Choi & Dean Karlan, 2020. "Randomizing Religion: the Impact of Protestant Evangelism on Economic Outcomes*," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, vol 136(1), pages 293-380.

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Related works:
Journal Article: Randomizing Religion: the Impact of Protestant Evangelism on Economic Outcomes* (2021)
Working Paper: Randomizing religion: the impact of Protestant evangelism on economic outcomes (2021)
Working Paper: Randomizing Religion: The Impact of Protestant Evangelism on Economic Outcomes (2018)
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