“The impact of child support enforcement on single-parent households: evidence from chilean law N°21.484” : a regional study on Tarapacá

Abstract

This study looks at the early effects of child support enforcement policies. It follows the Law N°21.484 that was implemented in Chile in 2023, and evaluates the impact on single-parent households in the Tarapaca region. The study focuses on labour outcomes and household vulnerability ´ between the years 2022 and 2024. There are marginal effects found in labour income in 2023, though no significant variations associated with labour participation and hours worked. Food insecurity was found to have decreased in single-parent households, with reductions of 7 and 3,5 percentage points in moderate and severe food insecurity, respectively. No significant changes associated with the policy change were found in poverty, general health nor child malnutrition. Though causality is not supported by this study, the results suggest the policy may help reduce single-parent households’ vulnerability. National-level research is needed to confirm these findings.