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Social Protection and Poverty Reduction: Global Patterns and Some Targets

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  • Fiszbein, Ariel
  • Kanbur, Ravi
  • Yemtsov, Ruslan

Abstract

This paper argues that Social Protection needs to be on the post-2015 agenda as a key element of the discourse. Based on a global Social Protection data set, it estimates that social protection programs are currently preventing 150 million people from falling into poverty. Even if all low-income countries could achieve the very best targeting efficiency observed in the world, only 50% could halve the poverty gap through social protection. For half of low-income countries, and for over a fifth of all countries in the sample, the issue is one of budgetary adequacy, not targeting efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Fiszbein, Ariel & Kanbur, Ravi & Yemtsov, Ruslan, 2014. "Social Protection and Poverty Reduction: Global Patterns and Some Targets," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 167-177.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:61:y:2014:i:c:p:167-177
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2014.04.010
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    References listed on IDEAS

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