Effects of Jobs on Ethnic Switching – Evidence from a Field Experiment in Ethiopia

Ethnicity is a dynamic construct, with individual-level ethnic switching having been reported in numerous contexts. Ethnic switching, typically attributed to instrumental or social identity motivations, is hypothesized to be influenced by employment, as it facilitates a shift away from land-based, ethnic dependencies. However, confirming this theory is challenging due to inherent selection biases in employment. Collaborating with 27 firms across five Ethiopian regions, we randomized job offers to women. Utilizing longitudinal data spanning several years, we find that formal employment causally increases ethnic switching. In-depth qualitative interviews in the two regions with the highest incidence of switching indicate that instrumental factors, including fear during work commutes, are important mechanisms.