Public expenditure, locality characteristics and child outcomes

The study explored whether locality characteristics are related to the proportion of local public expenditures on education and welfare and to a set of child outcomes (reported maltreatment rates; juvenile delinquency; success in matriculation exams; and rate of children known to social services). Specifically, we checked whether the proportion of public expenditures aligned with local needs, and whether they played a role in child outcomes. Data was collected for 172 localities in Israel that were home to approximately 34% of the country's child population. Findings show a clear relationship between the proportion of public expenditures on education and welfare and the socioeconomic characteristics of the locality. Further, the study established an association between child outcomes and the localities' socioeconomic characteristics. Findings show that Arab children are disadvantaged when compared to their Jewish counterparts. The study further supports the belief that locality matters, and that by changing locales, one can improve children's well being. The study only partially supported the notion that proportions of public expenditures on education and welfare are related to child outcomes.