This paper examines the recent trends in marriage rates in the U.S. from 2000 to 2021, focusing on the role of wage structure and work hours explaining these changes. Using IPUMS data, I show that the wage structure changed as well as a significant reduction in work hours for men across all income groups, with a slight increase for women. This study highlights that work hours, not just wages, significantly influence marriage patterns. The analysis finds that reductions in male work hours may increase marriage probability, suggesting that time availability is a crucial factor in household dynamics. A marriage model calibrated to 2000 and tested with 2021 data supports the hypothesis that changes in work hours better explain recent marriage trends than changes in wages. This paper contributes to understanding economic determinants of marriage by emphasizing the critical role of work hours.

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In this paper, we construct a model in which individuals decide between private and public education. We study the effect of this decision on income inequality. In particular, we analyze the effect of three policies on the middle class, namely: an increase in government spending on public education, an increase in income tax, and an improvement in the productivity of public education. Our main finding is that increasing government spending on public education reduces the future income of the middle class by prompting parents in this group to opt out of private education.

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In the face of persistently rising income inequality, the capacity to redistribute becomes essential, especially when involving human capital production. Using the case of public education funding across US school districts between 2005 and 2019, we document a negative response of local funding to higher inequality. We then show that this negative response is driven by lower redistribution in poorer districts whereas in rich districts the tax base positive effect dominates. Our results, in line with recent theoretical work, emphasize a new inequality amplification mechanism.

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This paper examines how cultural and marital norms influence economic transformation in emerging economies. This project aims to uncover connections between cultural expectations and structural transformation, particularly focusing on how norms related to marriage and family roles may impact women’s labor force participation. Research shows that women’s engagement in the workforce, especially in the service sector, plays a key role in driving economic transformation. If cultural expectations limit participation in this sector, we might observe slower progress in workforce diversity and structural economic shifts.

This paper is aimed at understanding the drivers behind the existence of multi-firm enterprises in India. The Indian industrial landscape is characterized by numerous large firms operating multiple plants across various regions. While diversification and market expansion are typical reasons for multi-plant operations globally, the Indian context may be shaped by distinct policy-driven factors. Our study hypothesizes that certain government policies incentivize firms to establish multiple plants as a strategy to leverage subsidies and benefits, which may lead to rent-seeking behavior and result in suboptimal production efficiency. By examining these policy influences, this research aims to offer insights into how government incentives shape firm structures and impact industrial efficiency within India’s economy.

This paper examines how coca leaf cultivation impacts agricultural productivity and broader economic shifts in the region. This research explores whether coca production influences land use patterns, and if so, how it affects productivity and the pace of structural transformation. Through this analysis, we aim to shed light on the socio-economic implications of coca cultivation for sustainable development in Latin America.