Does the nonfarm economy offer pathways for upward mobility? Evidence from a panel data study in Ethiopia

Bezu, Sosina and Barrett, Christopher B. and Holden, Stein T. (2010): Does the nonfarm economy offer pathways for upward mobility? Evidence from a panel data study in Ethiopia.

Abstract

Empirical studies across many developing countries routinely document a positive correlation between participation in rural nonfarm employment and households’ wealth or income. This paper explores whether nonfarm employment leads to higher consumption expenditure growth in Ethiopia. We find that: 1) households’ consumption expenditure growth is positively correlated with the initial share of nonfarm income; 2) the growth elasticity of nonfarm income share is higher for wealthier households; and 3) the main source of growth for nonfarm participants comes from the higher rates of return participants enjoy on their human and physical capital.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: rural nonfarm; income dynamics; income diversification; Africa; Ethiopia; impact
• Subjects: D - Microeconomics > D1 - Household Behavior and Family Economics > D13 - Household Production and Intrahousehold Allocation

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