Johannes Haushofer
@johanneshaushofer.com
Economist @cornelluniversity.bsky.social. Founder @malengo.org and @busaracenter.bsky.social. Also @stockholm-uni.bsky.social & @eegmpi.bsky.social. johanneshaushofer.com
Amongst the ~250 students in Germany, all but 2 are still in the program and making progress. They are somewhat slower than expected (anticipated graduation timeline is 5–6 years), grades are average (2.7 on a scale from 1=best to 5=worst), and 93% want to remain in Germany after graduation.
November 27, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Amongst the ~250 students in Germany, all but 2 are still in the program and making progress. They are somewhat slower than expected (anticipated graduation timeline is 5–6 years), grades are average (2.7 on a scale from 1=best to 5=worst), and 93% want to remain in Germany after graduation.
Subjective well-being (e.g. happiness, depression) also increases, by 0.36 standard deviations (SD). (By comparison, cash transfers give about 0.1 SD.) The parents back home are doing better too (0.25 SD), and siblings and friends are no worse off.
November 27, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Subjective well-being (e.g. happiness, depression) also increases, by 0.36 standard deviations (SD). (By comparison, cash transfers give about 0.1 SD.) The parents back home are doing better too (0.25 SD), and siblings and friends are no worse off.
Students were surveyed after about one year in Germany, so they are still in school. But because they have part-time jobs, their incomes have already increased by $843 relative to those who didn't travel. This figure is adjusted for purchasing power and doesn't include Malengo's stipends.
November 27, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Students were surveyed after about one year in Germany, so they are still in school. But because they have part-time jobs, their incomes have already increased by $843 relative to those who didn't travel. This figure is adjusted for purchasing power and doesn't include Malengo's stipends.
Exciting news on @malengo.org, the NGO that helps East African students move to Europe for education: Our research team has given us a glimpse of their early findings!
Here is the full writeup, joint with @richardnerland.bsky.social:
forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/CpZYHk...
Thread follows!
Here is the full writeup, joint with @richardnerland.bsky.social:
forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/CpZYHk...
Thread follows!
November 27, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Exciting news on @malengo.org, the NGO that helps East African students move to Europe for education: Our research team has given us a glimpse of their early findings!
Here is the full writeup, joint with @richardnerland.bsky.social:
forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/CpZYHk...
Thread follows!
Here is the full writeup, joint with @richardnerland.bsky.social:
forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/CpZYHk...
Thread follows!
It's my dear sister Lisa's (lisahaushofer.com) birthday on Wednesday, and she is raising money for the folks in Italy who helped us rescue a very cute puppy recently! More here: www.gofundme.com/f/help-anna-...
November 16, 2025 at 8:23 PM
It's my dear sister Lisa's (lisahaushofer.com) birthday on Wednesday, and she is raising money for the folks in Italy who helped us rescue a very cute puppy recently! More here: www.gofundme.com/f/help-anna-...
The Shapiro Foundation's new investment in Malengo is a great milestone for us! Here are some more details: malengo.org/malengo-secu...
November 5, 2025 at 4:13 AM
The Shapiro Foundation's new investment in Malengo is a great milestone for us! Here are some more details: malengo.org/malengo-secu...
In some places, 18+m refers to the age in months at which the book is appropriate. In Germany it refers to the maximum number of letters per word
November 1, 2025 at 10:06 PM
In some places, 18+m refers to the age in months at which the book is appropriate. In Germany it refers to the maximum number of letters per word
Great news on @malengo.org: With a new large investment from The Shapiro Foundation (theshapirofoundation.org), we'll be able to bring several hundred vocational training and university students from Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda to Europe over the coming years!
More here: malengo.org/malengo-secu...
More here: malengo.org/malengo-secu...
October 23, 2025 at 3:31 AM
Great news on @malengo.org: With a new large investment from The Shapiro Foundation (theshapirofoundation.org), we'll be able to bring several hundred vocational training and university students from Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda to Europe over the coming years!
More here: malengo.org/malengo-secu...
More here: malengo.org/malengo-secu...
Dolomites, no contest
June 21, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Dolomites, no contest
Is it "good" or "bad" when skilled people leave low-income countries? We summarized the evidence in favor of "brain gain" vs. "brain drain": www.science.org/doi/epdf/10....
Ungated PDF: johanneshaushofer.com/research
Ungated PDF: johanneshaushofer.com/research
May 22, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Is it "good" or "bad" when skilled people leave low-income countries? We summarized the evidence in favor of "brain gain" vs. "brain drain": www.science.org/doi/epdf/10....
Ungated PDF: johanneshaushofer.com/research
Ungated PDF: johanneshaushofer.com/research
my thoughts exactly
May 20, 2025 at 10:16 AM
my thoughts exactly
My amazing sister Lisa @haushoferl.bsky.social made an equally amazing quiche!
April 21, 2025 at 12:27 AM
My amazing sister Lisa @haushoferl.bsky.social made an equally amazing quiche!
The original, non-haiku one that's more widely known:
April 15, 2025 at 5:35 PM
The original, non-haiku one that's more widely known:
Remember the "Highlights" that some Elsevier journals require? Dean Karlan and friends developed an amazing way to troll them: haikus!
April 15, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Remember the "Highlights" that some Elsevier journals require? Dean Karlan and friends developed an amazing way to troll them: haikus!
We turned our advisory board into a full fiduciary board, with an amazing cast.
Our great research team continues to work on the randomized evaluation. Importantly, they will measure both direct & indirect impact (e.g. on families at home), and both positive & negative impact (e.g. mental health).
Our great research team continues to work on the randomized evaluation. Importantly, they will measure both direct & indirect impact (e.g. on families at home), and both positive & negative impact (e.g. mental health).
December 25, 2024 at 12:09 PM
We turned our advisory board into a full fiduciary board, with an amazing cast.
Our great research team continues to work on the randomized evaluation. Importantly, they will measure both direct & indirect impact (e.g. on families at home), and both positive & negative impact (e.g. mental health).
Our great research team continues to work on the randomized evaluation. Importantly, they will measure both direct & indirect impact (e.g. on families at home), and both positive & negative impact (e.g. mental health).
...we received 2,600 applications within 10 days!
So we asked donor and investor, the Shapiro Foundation, if we could increase the size of the pilot.
Please meet Malengo's inaugural TVET Class: 120 trainees!!
Many thanks to theshapirofoundation.org for making this possible.
So we asked donor and investor, the Shapiro Foundation, if we could increase the size of the pilot.
Please meet Malengo's inaugural TVET Class: 120 trainees!!
Many thanks to theshapirofoundation.org for making this possible.
December 25, 2024 at 12:09 PM
...we received 2,600 applications within 10 days!
So we asked donor and investor, the Shapiro Foundation, if we could increase the size of the pilot.
Please meet Malengo's inaugural TVET Class: 120 trainees!!
Many thanks to theshapirofoundation.org for making this possible.
So we asked donor and investor, the Shapiro Foundation, if we could increase the size of the pilot.
Please meet Malengo's inaugural TVET Class: 120 trainees!!
Many thanks to theshapirofoundation.org for making this possible.
We also launched an exciting new program: The Kenya–Germany TVET Program!
Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) is typically a 3-year training which qualifies for e.g. nursing. We chose Kenya & Germany because of a new migration treaty, and on nursing because of a great need and good salaries.
Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) is typically a 3-year training which qualifies for e.g. nursing. We chose Kenya & Germany because of a new migration treaty, and on nursing because of a great need and good salaries.
December 25, 2024 at 12:09 PM
We also launched an exciting new program: The Kenya–Germany TVET Program!
Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) is typically a 3-year training which qualifies for e.g. nursing. We chose Kenya & Germany because of a new migration treaty, and on nursing because of a great need and good salaries.
Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) is typically a 3-year training which qualifies for e.g. nursing. We chose Kenya & Germany because of a new migration treaty, and on nursing because of a great need and good salaries.
The 136 students already in Germany are doing ok: they are getting passable grades which improve over time (the oldest cohort now has a B average), and expect to complete their degrees in 4 years. We now subsidize German classes and hired a full-time career counselor to improve job prospects later.
December 25, 2024 at 12:09 PM
The 136 students already in Germany are doing ok: they are getting passable grades which improve over time (the oldest cohort now has a B average), and expect to complete their degrees in 4 years. We now subsidize German classes and hired a full-time career counselor to improve job prospects later.
Their study courses focus on STEM subjects, as is typical for Malengo students.
For the first time this year, we encountered delays in obtaining student visas at the German embassy in Kampala. The ambassador reassures us this is due to a temporary staff shortage. We're monitoring this closely.
For the first time this year, we encountered delays in obtaining student visas at the German embassy in Kampala. The ambassador reassures us this is due to a temporary staff shortage. We're monitoring this closely.
December 25, 2024 at 12:09 PM
Their study courses focus on STEM subjects, as is typical for Malengo students.
For the first time this year, we encountered delays in obtaining student visas at the German embassy in Kampala. The ambassador reassures us this is due to a temporary staff shortage. We're monitoring this closely.
For the first time this year, we encountered delays in obtaining student visas at the German embassy in Kampala. The ambassador reassures us this is due to a temporary staff shortage. We're monitoring this closely.
We nearly doubled the number of students we support in the Uganda–Germany university program, adding 120 to the 136 who are already in Germany. The new students include 20 refugees living in Uganda. All are currently in the process of traveling to Germany to begin their studies.
December 25, 2024 at 12:09 PM
We nearly doubled the number of students we support in the Uganda–Germany university program, adding 120 to the 136 who are already in Germany. The new students include 20 refugees living in Uganda. All are currently in the process of traveling to Germany to begin their studies.
It's time for an end-of-year update on @malengo.org! Our goal is to alleviate extreme poverty by facilitating international educational migration. Our flagship program supports Ugandan high school graduates in applying for and obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Germany. Here is what we're been up to!
December 25, 2024 at 12:09 PM
It's time for an end-of-year update on @malengo.org! Our goal is to alleviate extreme poverty by facilitating international educational migration. Our flagship program supports Ugandan high school graduates in applying for and obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Germany. Here is what we're been up to!
Kicking off day 2 of the BREAD Asia Conference at NUS Singapore now! Follow the livestream at breadasia2024.com.
You can also view the recording from yesterday at breadasia2024.com.
You can also view the recording from yesterday at breadasia2024.com.
December 20, 2024 at 1:02 AM
Kicking off day 2 of the BREAD Asia Conference at NUS Singapore now! Follow the livestream at breadasia2024.com.
You can also view the recording from yesterday at breadasia2024.com.
You can also view the recording from yesterday at breadasia2024.com.
So excited that the BREAD Asia Conference on Development Economics at NUS Singapore is starting in a few minutes! Please follow the livestream at breadasia2024.com! Program is below, times are in Singapore standard time.
December 19, 2024 at 12:36 AM
So excited that the BREAD Asia Conference on Development Economics at NUS Singapore is starting in a few minutes! Please follow the livestream at breadasia2024.com! Program is below, times are in Singapore standard time.
Great work by Oeindrila Dube, Sandy Jo MacArthur, and Anuj Shah
November 28, 2024 at 2:27 AM
Great work by Oeindrila Dube, Sandy Jo MacArthur, and Anuj Shah
Please RT: Our 100 new @malengo.org students need mentors! You will support them in university applications and preparing for life abroad. Time commitment 2–5h/month. You can do this remotely, and German skills are NOT required. You'll be paid. Details: malengo.org/volunteer-wi...
April 25, 2024 at 5:28 PM
Please RT: Our 100 new @malengo.org students need mentors! You will support them in university applications and preparing for life abroad. Time commitment 2–5h/month. You can do this remotely, and German skills are NOT required. You'll be paid. Details: malengo.org/volunteer-wi...