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Intimate Partner Violence in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Insights from Economic Research

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  • Manisha Shah
  • Lydia Barski

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive global issue, with approximately one in three women experiencing IPV during her lifetime. IPV prevalence is higher in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), and costs of IPV are also considerably larger as a percentage of GDP in LMICs. We present the economic theory behind IPV and highlight some important determinants, such as poverty and societal norms. We then synthesize the causal evidence on the impact of a range of policies and interventions, highlighting approaches that have been effective in reducing IPV. We identify key insights from the existing literature and outline areas where further theoretical and empirical research is needed.

Suggested Citation

  • Manisha Shah & Lydia Barski, 2026. "Intimate Partner Violence in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Insights from Economic Research," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 64(2), pages 403-446, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:jeclit:v:64:y:2026:i:2:p:403-46
    DOI: 10.1257/jel.20251769
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Heath, Rachel & Hidrobo, Melissa & Roy, Shalini, 2020. "Cash transfers, polygamy, and intimate partner violence: Experimental evidence from Mali," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    2. Oriana Bandiera & Niklas Buehren & Robin Burgess & Markus Goldstein & Selim Gulesci & Imran Rasul & Munshi Sulaiman, 2020. "Women's Empowerment in Action: Evidence from a Randomized Control Trial in Africa," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 12(1), pages 210-259, January.
    3. Roy, Shalini & Hidrobo, Melissa & Hoddinott, John F. & Ahmed, Akhter, 2021. "Transfers, behavior change communication, and intimate partner violence: Post-program evidence from rural Bangladesh," IFPRI book chapters, in: Securing food for all in Bangladesh, chapter 15, pages 549-590, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    4. Shalini Roy & Melissa Hidrobo & John Hoddinott & Bastien Kolt & Akhter Ahmed, 2024. "Can Transfers and Complementary Nutrition Programming Reduce Intimate Partner Violence Four Years Post-Program? Experimental Evidence from Bangladesh," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 59(6), pages 1714-1740.
    5. Melissa Hidrobo & Amber Peterman & Lori Heise, 2016. "The Effect of Cash, Vouchers, and Food Transfers on Intimate Partner Violence: Evidence from a Randomized Experiment in Northern Ecuador," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 8(3), pages 284-303, July.
    6. Hidrobo, Melissa & Fernald, Lia, 2013. "Cash transfers and domestic violence," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 32(1), pages 304-319.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • O17 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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