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Poverty Reduction And Economic Livelihood Mobility In Rural Sub‐Saharan Africa

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  • Fred Mawunyo Dzanku

Abstract

This article uses household panel data for six countries in rural sub‐Saharan Africa to study the dynamics of off‐farm diversification rather than the ‘static’ analyses common in the related literature. It identifies drivers of economic livelihood mobility and implications for poverty reduction. The results show that on‐farm specialization imposes considerable welfare costs on rural households. In most of the countries, income poverty reduction was highest for households that became diversified and lowest for those that became specialized. Yet, off‐farm diversification entry is hampered by living in a female‐headed household, old age, low farm productivity and poor rural infrastructure. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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  • Fred Mawunyo Dzanku, 2020. "Poverty Reduction And Economic Livelihood Mobility In Rural Sub‐Saharan Africa," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(5), pages 636-683, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jintdv:v:32:y:2020:i:5:p:636-683
    DOI: 10.1002/jid.3471
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    2. Ambler, Kate & Herskowitz, Sylvan & Maredia, Mywish K., 2021. "Rural Labor and Long Recall Loss," Staff Paper Series 316616, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.

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