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Social transfers and poverty alleviation in Taiwan from 2000 to 2020

Author

Listed:
  • Ke‐Mei Chen
  • Yao‐Chi Shih
  • Hui‐Fen Hung
  • Ching‐Yi Wang
  • Ching‐Hsia Cheng

Abstract

This study explored the effectiveness of government social transfers in alleviating poverty and investigated the profile and reduction of income poverty in Taiwan before and after these transfers by using the Foster–Greer–Thorbecke (FGT) class of poverty measures. Data were obtained from the 2000–2020 Survey of Family Income and Expenditure. Significant progress was made in reducing poverty over the study period. The three FGT poverty measures before and after transfers peaked in 2009 and 2010, respectively, during the global financial crisis. The findings also suggested that poverty varied considerably across the subgroups. Poverty was more prevalent in female‐headed and older adult‐headed households than in male‐headed and younger adult‐headed households before and after transfers. However, the degree of poverty reduction was greater in female‐headed and older adult–headed households, and these households made greater contributions to overall poverty over time. In addition, heterogeneity was identified among the household types, and grandparent, couple, and single‐person households were identified as the most disadvantaged groups. The high number of means‐tested programs suggests piecemeal welfare benefits in Taiwan. The people living in poverty in our study relied considerably on various social transfers. Accordingly, integrated and universal welfare programs should become a key focus of policy. 本研究调查了自然灾害对越南农村多维贫困的影响，并分析了社会救助在减轻这些影响方面的中介作用。通过使用2016年和2018年越南家庭生活水平调查(VHLSS)的数据，我们采用probit模型分析干旱、洪水和风暴对贫困各个维度的不同影响，这些维度包括收入、教育、健康、住房和信息获取。我们的研究结果表明，与洪水和风暴相比，干旱对整体多维贫困的影响更为明显和持久。此外，我们证明了社会救助在“减轻洪水对家庭福祉多个方面的不利影响”一事中的中介作用。通过采用一项全面、多维的贫困方法，并强调社会救助在增强自然灾害复原力方面的关键作用，本研究为相关文献作贡献。我们的研究结果强调，需要精准的、针对具体情境的扶贫战略，以应对贫困的多面性和自然灾害对农村家庭的不同影响。这些发现对决策者和实践者在“设计有效的干预措施以促进可持续发展和在日益增加的气候相关挑战面前提高脆弱社区的福祉”方面具有重要启示。 Este estudio investiga el impacto de los desastres naturales en la pobreza multidimensional en las zonas rurales de Vietnam y examina el papel moderador de la asistencia social para mitigar estos efectos. Utilizando datos de la Encuesta sobre el nivel de vida de los hogares de Vietnam (VHLSS) de 2016 y 2018, empleamos un modelo probit para analizar los impactos diferenciales de las sequías, inundaciones y tormentas en varias dimensiones de la pobreza, incluidos los ingresos, la educación, la salud, la vivienda y el acceso a la información. Nuestros hallazgos revelan que las sequías tienen un impacto más pronunciado y duradero en la pobreza multidimensional general en comparación con las inundaciones y las tormentas. Además, demostramos el efecto moderador de la asistencia social para aliviar las consecuencias adversas de las inundaciones en múltiples aspectos del bienestar de los hogares. Este estudio contribuye a la literatura al adoptar un enfoque integral y multidimensional de la pobreza y destacar el papel fundamental de la asistencia social en la creación de resiliencia ante los desastres naturales. Nuestros resultados subrayan la necesidad de estrategias de alivio de la pobreza específicas y específicas para cada contexto que aborden la naturaleza multifacética de la privación y los impactos diferenciales de los desastres naturales en los hogares rurales. Estos hallazgos tienen implicaciones importantes para los encargados de formular políticas y los profesionales a la hora de diseñar intervenciones eficaces para promover el desarrollo sostenible y mejorar el bienestar de las comunidades vulnerables frente a los crecientes desafíos relacionados con el clima.

Suggested Citation

  • Ke‐Mei Chen & Yao‐Chi Shih & Hui‐Fen Hung & Ching‐Yi Wang & Ching‐Hsia Cheng, 2024. "Social transfers and poverty alleviation in Taiwan from 2000 to 2020," Poverty & Public Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(4), pages 352-373, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:povpop:v:16:y:2024:i:4:p:352-373
    DOI: 10.1002/pop4.416
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    References listed on IDEAS

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