Impacts of the Bolsa Família program on child labor and school attendance

Abstract

This paper analyses the impacts of the Bolsa Família Program on the occurrence of child labor and school attendance of children from poor families in Brazil in 2004, according to census and regional areas. A bivariate probit model was used to estimate the statistical tests. The results corroborate the efficiency of the Bolsa Família to increase the school attendance of children, however, the Program increases the likelihood of occurrence of child labor. Moreover, children of poor households in rural areas have worse conditions than those of urban areas, demanding specific actions to them.