Essays on the Economics of Human Capital Accumulation Lucia Rizzica
Summary of Key Findings from Essays on the Economics of Human Capital
The study explores various dimensions of human capital accumulation, particularly focusing on education, migration, and family dynamics. The key findings are:
1. The Impact of Aspirations on Higher Education Participation
Widening Participation Policies (WP) in the UK aimed to increase educational motivation among students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
While the intervention successfully raised aspirations and reduced dropout rates at age 16, it had a modest impact on actual college attendance.
The primary limitation was financial constraints rather than cognitive skill deficits, highlighting that raising aspirations alone is insufficient without addressing economic barriers.
2. Gender Differences in University Enrollment and Mobility (Italy)
The expansion of tertiary education in Italy led to increased university enrollment for women, but not for men.
Men tended to substitute studying away from home with studying at local institutions, whereas for women, the availability of local universities increased overall participation.
The findings suggest women face higher non-financial (e.g., cultural, social) costs of studying away from home, which can impact their educational choices.
3. Effects of Parental Migration on Children’s Welfare (Indonesia)
The study examined the impact of spousal migration on children's well-being, particularly focusing on how household resources are allocated when one parent migrates.
The share of income spent on children remained unchanged regardless of whether the father or mother migrated, as remittances acted as a controlling mechanism.
However, mothers were found to allocate a lower share of remittances towards private adult consumption than fathers, reflecting a 15-percentage point difference in generosity.
The study concludes that female migration does not harm children’s well-being, provided that remittance systems are efficient.
4. Financial and Cultural Barriers to Higher Education
The expansion of local university supply benefited women more than men in Italy, largely because of socio-cultural restrictions on female mobility.
Affluent families were more likely to keep daughters in education, whereas poorer families often saw daughters dropping out when local options were unavailable.
Policy Implications
Financial support schemes are needed alongside aspiration-raising initiatives to ensure increased college attendance.
Cultural considerations must be factored into policies targeting gender disparities in education.
Improving remittance services can enhance the positive effects of migration on children’s well-being.
Overall, the study reinforces the idea that human capital development is shaped not only by economic factors but also by cultural, social, and policy-driven influences.