Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/69392 
Year of Publication: 
2013
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 7189
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
We use data from a unique survey of members of drug-trafficking gangs in favelas (slums) of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to characterize drug-trafficking jobs and study the selection into gangs, analyzing what distinguishes gang-members from other youth living in favelas. We also estimate wage regressions for gang-members and examine their career path: age at entry, progression within the gangs' hierarchy, and short- to medium-term outcomes. Individuals from lower socioeconomic background and with no religious affiliation have higher probability of joining a gang, while those with problems at school and early use of drugs join the gang at younger ages. Wages within the gang do not depend on education, but are increasing with experience and involvement in gang-related violence. The two-year mortality rate in the sample of gang-members reaches 20%, with the probability of death increasing with initial involvement in gang violence and with personality traits associated with unruliness.
Subjects: 
crime
youth
gangs
drugs
trafficking
Brazil
JEL: 
J4
K42
O15
O17
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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