STEG Project Policy Brief
• Research Theme 2: Labour, Home Production, and Structural Transformation at the Level of the Household,
Research Theme 5: The Role of the Public Sector
Does Electrification Matter for Child Development? Evidence from Ethiopia
Despite mixed empirical evidence, policymakers often justify costly electrification programs with their positive impact on child development (Bernard, 2012; Lee et al., 2020a; Koima, 2024). This paper examines the impacts of a large-scale grid-electrification program in rural Ethiopia using high-quality panel data on nearly 1,200 children and their families. Upon gaining access to electricity, there are important changes in children's daily routines, including reduced hours spent sleeping or helping their families. In addition, I document significant increases in children's educational investments, which – conditional on being enrolled – are particularly pronounced for girls.
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