Islamic law and investments in children: evidence from the Sharia introduction in Nigeria
Islamic law and investments in children: evidence from the Sharia introduction in Nigeria
Islamic law lays down detailed rules regulating children’s upbringing. This study examines the effect of such rules on investments in children by analysing the introduction of Sharia law in northern Nigeria. Triple-differences estimates using temporal, geographical and religious variation together with large, representative survey data show decreases in infant mortality. Official government statistics further confirm improvements in survival. Findings also show that Sharia increased vaccination rates, duration of breastfeeding and prenatal health care. Evidence suggests that Sharia improved survival by specifying strict child protection laws and by formalising children’s duty to maintain their parents in old age or in sickness.
Alfano, Marco
0df2fd10-8c2e-444f-9ec2-5c5e74c1a99e
1 August 2022
Alfano, Marco
0df2fd10-8c2e-444f-9ec2-5c5e74c1a99e
Alfano, Marco
(2022)
Islamic law and investments in children: evidence from the Sharia introduction in Nigeria.
Journal of Health Economics, 85, [102660].
(doi:10.1016/j.jhealeco.2022.102660).
Abstract
Islamic law lays down detailed rules regulating children’s upbringing. This study examines the effect of such rules on investments in children by analysing the introduction of Sharia law in northern Nigeria. Triple-differences estimates using temporal, geographical and religious variation together with large, representative survey data show decreases in infant mortality. Official government statistics further confirm improvements in survival. Findings also show that Sharia increased vaccination rates, duration of breastfeeding and prenatal health care. Evidence suggests that Sharia improved survival by specifying strict child protection laws and by formalising children’s duty to maintain their parents in old age or in sickness.
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Accepted/In Press date: 11 July 2022
e-pub ahead of print date: 21 July 2022
Published date: 1 August 2022
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Local EPrints ID: 506992
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/506992
ISSN: 0167-6296
PURE UUID: aeed42f0-7a6e-4146-a80b-4acc580661de
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Date deposited: 25 Nov 2025 17:37
Last modified: 29 Nov 2025 03:13
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Author:
Marco Alfano
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