Abstract: 
This study examines whether unconditional cash transfers received during childhood improve long-term labour market outcomes in South Africa. We analyze the effects of South Africa's Child Support Grant (CSG) on labour market participation, employment, and wages in young adulthood. Using data from the National Income Dynamics Study (2008-2017) and exploiting quasi-random variation in childhood CSG exposure created by progressive age-eligibility expansions, we study African individuals born 1988-1995. Across all measures of CSG exposure (binary eligibility, total months, total value) and labour market outcomes, we find no significant effects of childhood eligibility on young adult outcomes. Small negative effects on male and urban labour force participation become insignificant when controlling for cohort-specific trends. Our results suggest that unconditional cash transfers alone may be insufficient to address South Africa's unemployment crisis, highlighting the need for structural labour market reforms alongside social protection programs. 

About the presenter:
Neryvia Pillay is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Economics, and a Lead Economist in the Economic Research Department at the South African Reserve Bank. She received her PhD in Economics from Stanford University. Her research interests lie in the field of public economics covering topics such as labour markets, education, health, social grants, inequality and taxation.