RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The Power of Lakshmi
JF Journal of Human Resources
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 1253
OP 1283
DO 10.3368/jhr.1021-11963R2
VO 60
IS 4
A1 Biswas, Nabaneeta
A1 Cornwell, Christopher
A1 Zimmermann, Laura V.
YR 2025
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/60/4/1253.abstract
AB Worldwide, 1.6 million girls are “missing” at birth every year. One policy tool to improve the sex ratio is a conditional cash transfer that pays parents to invest in daughters, but existing evidence on their effectiveness is sparse. Using a difference-in-differences framework, we evaluate the Dhanlakshmi scheme, an Indian CCT program that strongly encouraged girl births without restricting fertility. Dhanlakshmi improved the sex ratio at birth, with only a small fertility increase. The girl-birth effect was concentrated among the first two parities and partially persisted after the program was discontinued. Post-birth outcomes like immunization and education also improved.