After having been ignored for a long time by economists, happiness is becoming an object of serious research in 21st century economics. In Section 2 we sketch the present status of happiness economics. In Section 3 we consider the practical applicability of happiness economics, retaining the...

The “common effect” model in program evaluation assumes that all treated individuals have the same impact from a program. Our paper contributes to the recent literature that tests and goes beyond the common effect model by investigating impact heterogeneity using data from the experimental...

This paper introduces a new methodology to target direct transfers against poverty. Our method is based on observable correlates and on estimation methods that focus on the poor. Using data from Tunisia, we estimate ÔfocusedÕ transfer schemes that improve anti-poverty targeting performances....

The contribution of government transfer programs to inequality is often assessed by analyzing to what extent the benefits paid go to lower income families. Several analysts have found that some key government transfers actually go mostly to middle and high income families and thus contribute to...

Most of the literature on the evaluation of training programs focuses on the effect of participation on a particular outcome (e.g. earnings). The “treatment” is generally represented by a binary variable equal to one if participation in the program occurs, and equal to zero if no...

This paper calculates prospective pension entitlements for illustrative workers at different income levels in 15 OECD countries. The modelling includes universal and resource tested schemes, public and private earnings-related plans and mandatory defined contribution schemes. The paper includes...

Using the ENNViH 2002 survey, a switching model shows that significant differences exist in the formation of infant cognitive ability across Mexican social strata. Public policy variables and local economic characteristics are sufficient to detect an important gradient in cognitive abilities and...

This paper investigates how fertility responds to changes in the price of a marginal child and in household income. We construct a large, individual-level panel data set of married Israeli women during the period 1999-2005 that contains fertility histories and detailed controls. We exploit...

The weaknesses of traditional policies for dealing with unemployment shocks have placed the reform of social insurance programs at the center of the public policy debate. Unemployment insurance saving accounts (UISAs) have been proposed as an instrument to protect workers from the loss in...

The government of Chile has been using for many years a system for the targeting of many of its income transfers and other social programs. The system is based on the ficha CAS, a two page form that households must fill if they wish to apply for benefits. Each household is attributed a score on...