Work

Data and Code for: On-Demand Assistance: Experimental Evidence from Indonesia

Year: 2025

Type: dataset

Abstract: Given labor informality in developing countries, addressing employment shocks is challenging. We study Indonesia’s new approach for on-demand online applications for temporary cash assistance and online job training. Through 20 lotteries over two years, 11 million beneficiaries were selected. In nationwide, representative surveys matched with administrative data, most beneficiaries report not receiving the assistance, with no detectable impacts on employment or consumption. In contrast, survey data from applicants with working phones reveal high reported take-up and higher incomes. The results suggest that while flexible, on-demand assistance has potential, design features that allow for flexibility could hinder receipt and, thus, impact.

Source: Harvard Dataverse

DOI: 10.7910/dvn/pv2lxj

Authors: Hanna, Rema, Olken, Benjamin, Sumarto, Sudarno, Maulana, Achmad, Alatas, Vivi, Satriawan, Elan

Institutions: Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Padjadjaran University, Universitas Gadjah Mada

Language: English

Topic: Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare

Subfield: Development

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, No poverty, Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W7127967188

Cites:

Cited by: 1

Related to: 10