We present evidence on the impacts of a large-scale iodine supplementation program in Tanzania on individuals’ long-term economic outcomes. Exploiting the timing and location of the intervention, we document that in utero exposure to the program increased completed years of education and income scores in adulthood. We find no increase in total employment, but a significant change in the occupational structure. Cohorts exposed to the program are less likely to work in agricultural self-employment and more likely to hold skilled jobs that typically demand higher levels of education. Together, these results demonstrate that iodine deficiency can have long-run implications for occupational choices and labor market incomes in low-income regions.

我们提供了坦桑尼亚大规模碘补充计划对个人长期经济成果影响的证据。利用干预的时间和地点，我们记录了在子宫内接触该计划增加了成年期完成的教育年数和收入分数。我们发现总就业人数没有增加，但职业结构发生了显着变化。参与该计划的人群不太可能从事农业自雇工作，而更有可能从事通常需要更高教育水平的技术工作。总之，这些结果表明，碘缺乏会对低收入地区的职业选择和劳动力市场收入产生长期影响。