SIBSHIP SIZE, BIRTH ORDER, AND CHILDREN'S EDUCATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: EVIDENCE FROM BANGLADESH

Abstract

We examine whether the effect of sibship size on education differs by the individual's birth order in low-income countries, using data from Matlab, Bangladesh. Exploiting exposure to the randomized family planning program in Matlab for identification, we find evidence that sibship size has negative effect on education and positive effect on labor force participation of the first- and the second-born children, but no significant effect on education or labor force participation of the later-born children. Ignoring the difference in the effect of sibship size on education by birth order may confound inferences on quantity-quality tradeoff in low income countries.