Heterogeneity in Bolsa Família outcomes

The paper examines heterogeneity in programme outcomes from Bolsa Família, a flagship social assistance programme in Brazil reaching 14 million households. Following a review of existing evidence on mean impacts, the paper develops and estimates the first panel data quantile regression model of the distribution of Bolsa Família outcomes across municipalities. The quantile point estimates of programme effects show no significant effects on adult labour force participation but positive and significant effects on girls' school attendance. Girls' attendance effects are stronger in municipalities with lowest rates in the conditional distribution of school attendance.