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Rates of return to antipoverty transfers in Uganda

Author

Listed:
  • Dietrich, Stephan

    (UNU-MERIT, Maastricht University)

  • Malerba, Daniele

    (Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik)

  • Barrientos, Armando

    (University of Manchester)

  • Gassmann, Franziska

    (UNU-MERIT, Maastricht University)

Abstract

A growing literature measures the impact of antipoverty transfer programmes on variables of interest among participants in low- and middle-income countries. To date, few studies provide information on net benefits or rates of return from these programmes. This paper constructs estimates of rates of return to an antipoverty transfer programme in Uganda using appropriate welfare weights. Survey and experimental methods empirically validate the range of welfare weights applied. We find that rates of return estimates applying appropriate prioritarian welfare weights are significantly higher than utilitarian rates of return.

Suggested Citation

  • Dietrich, Stephan & Malerba, Daniele & Barrientos, Armando & Gassmann, Franziska, 2017. "Rates of return to antipoverty transfers in Uganda," MERIT Working Papers 2017-040, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    • Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2017040
    as

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    File URL: https://www.merit.unu.edu/publications/wppdf/2017/wp2017-040.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    poverty; income distribution; preference for redistribution; welfare; welfare weights; cash transfers; rates of return; Uganda;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D61 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Allocative Efficiency; Cost-Benefit Analysis
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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