Replication data for: Saving by Default: Evidence from a Field Experiment in Rural India

Principal Investigator(s):  View help for Principal Investigator(s) Vincent Somville; Lore Vandewalle

Version:  View help for Version V1

Name File Type Size Last Modified
  data 10/26/2021 02:03:PM
LICENSE.txt text/plain 14.6 KB 12/07/2019 08:10:AM

Project Citation: 

Somville, Vincent, and Vandewalle, Lore. Replication data for: Saving by Default: Evidence from a Field Experiment in Rural India. Nashville, TN: American Economic Association [publisher], 2018. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 2019-12-07. https://doi.org/10.3886/E116344V1

Project Description

Summary:  View help for Summary Access to banks is rapidly increasing worldwide, and allows account-based instead of cash transfers. We conduct a randomized experiment documenting the impact of the payment method on savings behavior. In India, we allocate identical weekly payments into a bank account (treated) or in cash (control). Savings in the account increase by 131 percent within three months, and the effect is long lasting. We also show that cash payments increase consumption and that—once everyone is paid in cash again—the saving patterns no longer differ. We interpret these findings as a default effect, and we further discuss plausible mechanisms.

Scope of Project

Subject Terms:  View help for Subject Terms ficial diaries; consumption; savings
JEL Classification:  View help for JEL Classification
      C93 Field Experiments
      D14 Household Saving; Personal Finance
      D90 Micro-Based Behavioral Economics: General
      G21 Banks; Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
      O12 Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
      O16 Economic Development: Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance
Geographic Coverage:  View help for Geographic Coverage India
Collection Date(s):  View help for Collection Date(s) 2014 – 2014
Universe:  View help for Universe low income, rural, India
Data Type(s):  View help for Data Type(s) survey data; administrative records data; experimental data

Methodology

Unit(s) of Observation:  View help for Unit(s) of Observation households, individuals,

Related Publications

Download this project

Published Versions

V1 [2019-12-07]

Export Metadata

Dublin Core

DDI 2.5

Report a Problem

Found a serious problem with the data, such as disclosure risk or copyrighted content? Let us know.

This material is distributed exactly as it arrived from the data depositor. ICPSR has not checked or processed this material. Users should consult the investigator(s) if further information is desired.