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Assessing the Impact of Social Grants on Inequality: A South African Case Study

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  • Reinhard Schiel
  • Murray Leibbrandt
  • David Lam

Abstract

The democratic government in South Africa has developed a system of social grants to combat the high levels of poverty and inequality inherited from the apartheid regime. With the help of modest economic growth and an associated increase in per capita household income, the introduction and expansion of social grants has helped alleviate the inherited burden of poverty. On the other hand income inequality has remained stubbornly high in post-apartheid South Africa and the role of these grants in inequality reduction remains unclear.

Suggested Citation

  • Reinhard Schiel & Murray Leibbrandt & David Lam, 2014. "Assessing the Impact of Social Grants on Inequality: A South African Case Study," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2014-160, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2014-160
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    Cited by:

    1. Janina Hundenborn & Ingrid Woolard & Jon Jellema, 2019. "The effect of top incomes on inequality in South Africa," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 26(5), pages 1018-1047, October.
    2. Nnaeme, Chibuikem C. & Patel, Leila & Plagerson, Sophie, 2020. "How cash transfers enable agency through livelihoods in South Africa," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    3. Ingrid Woolard & Janina Hundenborn & Jon Jellema, 2018. "The effect of top incomes on inequality in South Africa," WIDER Working Paper Series 90, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    4. Margherita Scarlato & Giorgio d'Agostino, 2019. "Cash Transfers, Labor Supply, and Gender Inequality: Evidence from South Africa," Feminist Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(4), pages 159-184, October.
    5. Janina Hundenborn & Ingrid Woolard & Murray Leibbrandt, 2016. "Drivers of Inequality in South Africa," SALDRU Working Papers 194, Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town.

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