Explaining variation in child labor statistics, Vol. 1 of 1

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Explaining variation in child labor statistics

Author:	Dillon, Andrew; Bardasi, Elena; Beegle, Kathleen; Serneels, Pieter;	Collection Title:	Policy Research working paper ; no. WPS 5414Paper is funded by the Knowledge for Change Program (KCP)
Country:	World;	Date Stored:	2010/09/07
Document Date:	2010/09/01	Document Type:	Policy Research Working Paper
Language:	English	Major Sector:	Energy and mining; Health and other social services; Finance; Transportation
Rel. Proj ID:	1W-Lsms Iv: Research For Improving Survey Data -- -- P102013;	Region:	The World Region
Report Number:	WPS5414	Sub Sectors:	Other social services; Micro- and SME finance; General finance sector; General energy sector; General transportation sector
SubTopics:	Children and Youth; Street Children; Labor Markets; Youth and Governance; Labor Policies	TF No/Name:	TF057207-KCP:; TF092149-PANEL HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS AND AGRICULTURE IN TANZANI
Volume No:	1 of 1

Summary: Child labor statistics are critical for assessing the extent and nature of child labor activities in developing countries. In practice, widespread variation exists in how child labor is measured. Questionnaire modules vary across countries and within countries over time along several dimensions, including respondent type and the structure of the questionnaire. Little is known about the effect of these differences on child labor statistics. This paper presents the results from a randomized survey experiment in Tanzania focusing on two survey aspects: different questionnaire design to classify children work and proxy response versus self-reporting. Use of a short module compared with a more detailed questionnaire has a statistically significant effect, especially on child labor force participation rates, and, to a lesser extent, on working hours. Proxy reports do not differ significantly from a childs self-report. Further analysis demonstrates that survey design choices affect the coefficient estimates of some determinants of child labor in a child labor supply equation. The results suggest that low-cost changes to questionnaire design to clarify the concept of work for respondents can improve the data collected.


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