CFDP 2026R2
Human Capital Development and Parental Investment in India
Author(s):Publication Date: December 2015
Revision Date: July 2017March 2019
Pages: 64
Abstract:
We estimate production functions for cognition and health for children aged 1-12 in India, based on the Young Lives Survey. India has over 70 million children aged 0-5 who are at risk of developmental deficits. The inputs into the production functions include parental background, prior child cognition and health, and child investments, which are taken as endogenous. Estimation is based on a nonlinear factor model, based on multiple measurements for both inputs and child outcomes. Our results show an important effect of early health on child cognitive development, which then becomes persistent. Parental investments affect cognitive development at all ages, but more so for younger children. Investments also have an impact on health at early ages only.
Keywords:
Early childhood development, Human capital, India, Nonlinear factor models, Young lives survey, Health, Cognition
JEL Classification Codes: I14, I15, I25, I32, J13, J24, O15
JEL Classification Codes: I14I15I25I32J13J24O15
See CFDP Version(s): CFDP 2026CFDP 2026RSee CFP: CFP 1758