Consequences of Becoming Classified as a Disadvantaged Neighborhood

In the end of 2015, the Swedish police suddenly and unexpectedly began publishing reports identifying neighborhoods as "vulnerable".

The publication of the list has led to considerable media interest and the designated areas are often described in the media in a stigmatizing way. This project examines the effects on the residensts in these areas of having their neighorhood listed. According to theory, the effects on the residents are unclear.

Residents may suffer from worse outcomes if individuals adapt their behavior in response to expected or actual discrimination, but they may also benefit if having their neighborhood listed induces residents to place more effort to compensate the potentially adverse attitudes from the surrounding society.

Thus, the net-effect of becoming a vunerable neighborhood is an empirical question.

The project uses truly novel geocoded data covering place of residence and the location of schools and workplaces combined with quasi-experimental research methods to examine the effect of the introduction of the list on: (i) media attitudes towards these areas, (ii) the school choices of children and teachers, (iii) local labor market opportunities, and (iv) local crime levels and sentences that judges decide for residents that are charged of crime.

We also use rich population based register data to document the responses by the police, social workers and schools in terms of manpower.