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Risk, Growth and Poverty: what do we know, what do we need to know?

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  • Stefan Dercon (QEH)

Abstract

This note has three objectives: first, it aims to take stock of the nature of the evidence available and on the links between uninsured risk and shocks on the one hand, and growth and poverty on the other, both at a macro and micro level. Secondly, it makes a number of suggestions of the type of work that could be fruitfully implemented. Finally, it tries to strike a balance between the needs for the policy maker and the requirements for academic scrutiny of evidence, in offering suggestions for priorities in work.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefan Dercon (QEH), "undated". "Risk, Growth and Poverty: what do we know, what do we need to know?," QEH Working Papers qehwps148, Queen Elizabeth House, University of Oxford.
  • Handle: RePEc:qeh:qehwps:qehwps148
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    File URL: http://workingpapers.qeh.ox.ac.uk/RePEc/qeh/qehwps/qehwps148.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Diana Fletschner & C. Leigh Anderson & Alison Cullen, 2010. "Are Women as Likely to Take Risks and Compete? Behavioural Findings from Central Vietnam," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(8), pages 1459-1479.
    6. Robin J. Lovell & Carol Shennan & Nguyen Ngoc Thuy, 2021. "Sustainable and conventional intensification: how gendered livelihoods influence farming practice adoption in the Vietnamese Mekong River Delta," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(5), pages 7089-7116, May.
    7. You, Jing, 2014. "Risk, under-investment in agricultural assets and dynamic asset poverty in rural China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 27-45.
    8. Gockel, Ryan P. & Cullen, Alison C., 2013. "Willing, but Unable: Determinants of Participation Rates for TrainingWorkshops in Central Vietnam," Asian Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, Asian Economic and Social Society (AESS), vol. 3(10), pages 1-15, October.
    9. Evans, Martin & Giang, Long & Nguyen, Cuong & Tran, Tam & Vu, Linh, 2011. "Social Assistance Policy in Vietnam: Issues In Design And Implementation, and Vision For Reforms," MPRA Paper 59837, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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