Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/314638 
Year of Publication: 
2025
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 17741
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
We estimate the effect of speaking Spanish as an additional language (SAL)—as opposed to speaking it as a native—on education, labor, and wellbeing outcomes among Mexico's indigenous ethno-linguistic minorities. Controls are appropriately comparable indigenous individuals who speak only Spanish. To address treatment endogeneity, we use 2SLS, maximum likelihood, and control function estimators, using parental indigenous language status as instruments. Unlike prior studies, we account for key confounders: parents' education, occupation, and imputed family income. SAL reduces education by one year—equivalent to a−0.2 standard deviations reduction on schooling. It also imposes a−23% penalty on permanent income (wealth). No significant effects are found on employment, life satisfaction, or health.
Subjects: 
Spanish as additional language
indigenous ethno-linguistic minorities
economic outcomes
Mexico
JEL: 
J71
J31
12
128
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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