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Evaluating the cost of poverty alleviation transfer programs: an illustration based on PROGRESA in Mexico

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  • Coady, David
  • Perez, Raul
  • Vera-Ilamas, Hadid

Abstract

"One of the common criticisms of poverty alleviation programs is that the high share of administrative (nontransfer) costs substantially reduces the programs' impact on poverty. But very little empirical evidence exists on program costs. For example, a recent extensive international review of targeted poverty alleviation programs in developing countries could find data on costs for only 32 out of the 111 programs reviewed. Even then, the numbers available were not always comparable. In this paper, we present a detailed analysis of the cost structure of a program recently introduced in Mexico, called PROGRESA. Our analysis shows how cost data can be used as the basis for an evaluation of the cost efficiency of anti-poverty programs. It cautions, however, that one must be very careful when interpreting cost numbers or undertaking comparisons across programs in order to avoid misleading conclusions. Any credible analysis of a program's cost efficiency must involve a detailed analysis of cost structure and not simply provide aggregate cost information. We also highlight the importance of not neglecting private costs incurred by households in taking up transfers." Authors' Abstract

Suggested Citation

  • Coady, David & Perez, Raul & Vera-Ilamas, Hadid, 2005. "Evaluating the cost of poverty alleviation transfer programs: an illustration based on PROGRESA in Mexico," FCND discussion papers 199, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    • Handle: RePEc:fpr:fcnddp:199
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Emmanuel Skoufias & Susan Wendy Parker, 2001. "Conditional Cash Transfers and Their Impact on Child Work and Schooling: Evidence from the PROGRESA Program in Mexico," Economía Journal, The Latin American and Caribbean Economic Association - LACEA, vol. 0(Fall 2001), pages 45-96.
    2. David Coady & Margaret Grosh & John Hoddinott, 2004. "Targeting of Transfers in Developing Countries : Review of Lessons and Experience," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 14902, April.
    3. Haddad, Lawrence J. & Adato, Michelle, 2001. "How effectively do public works programs transfer benefits to the poor? evidence from South Africa," FCND discussion papers 108, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    4. Behrman, Jere R. & Hoddinott, John, 2001. "An Evaluation Of The Impact Of Progresa On Pre-School Child Height," Discussion Paper Briefs 15917, CGIAR, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    5. Fafchamps, Marcel & Quisumbing, Agnes R., 1999. "Social roles, human capital, and the intrahousehold division of labor," FCND discussion papers 73, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    6. Datt, Gaurav & Jolliffe, Dean, 1999. "Determinants of poverty in Egypt, 1997," FCND discussion papers 75, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    7. Skoufias, Emmanuel, 2005. "PROGRESA and its impacts on the welfare of rural households in Mexico," Research reports 139, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    8. Paul Schultz, T., 2004. "School subsidies for the poor: evaluating the Mexican Progresa poverty program," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 74(1), pages 199-250, June.
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    1. Caldes, Natalia & Coady, David & Maluccio, John A., 2006. "The cost of poverty alleviation transfer programs: A comparative analysis of three programs in Latin America," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 34(5), pages 818-837, May.
    2. Ma. Cecilia L. Catubig & Renato A. Villano & Brian Dollery, 2016. "The administrative efficiency of conditional cash transfer programmes: evidence from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program," Asia-Pacific Development Journal, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), vol. 23(1), pages 133-158, June.

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