Effects of Youth Savings Accounts on School Attendance and Academic Performance: Evidence from a Youth Savings Experiment

Asset-accumulation interventions are promising tools for promoting better educational outcomes. However, little is known about the educational effects of youth-owned assets, particularly in resource-limited countries. The Ghana YouthSave Experiment established a rigorous foundation for exploring you...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of family and economic issues 2019-06, Vol.40 (2), p.269-281
Main Authors: Ansong, David, Chowa, Gina, Masa, Rainier, Despard, Mathieu, Sherraden, Michael, Wu, Shiyou, Osei-Akoto, Isaac
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Academic achievement
Accumulation
Adolescent development
Assets
Children & youth
Development policy
Economic theory
Families & family life
Family
Original Paper
Personality and Social Psychology
Public policy
Savings accounts
School attendance
Social development
Social Policy
Social Sciences
Sociology
Treatment methods
Youth
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Summary:Asset-accumulation interventions are promising tools for promoting better educational outcomes. However, little is known about the educational effects of youth-owned assets, particularly in resource-limited countries. The Ghana YouthSave Experiment established a rigorous foundation for exploring youth responses when offered opportunities to save for their education. This study uses data from 2000 junior high YouthSave participants, who were randomly assigned to one of two treatments (in-school or local bank access) or the control group. Treatment effects on school attendance and academic performance are examined using difference-in-difference estimation with bootstrapped standard errors. Treatment effects were significant for attendance but not performance. Findings suggest longer posttreatment follow-up is needed for effects to manifest. This study demonstrates the potential of asset-accumulation programs to contribute to improved behavioral outcomes, and offers insights for the integration of financial capability programs in youth development policies.
ISSN:1058-0476
1573-3475
DOI:10.1007/s10834-018-9604-5