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Financial inclusion and nutrition among rural households in Rwanda

Author

Listed:
  • Ranjula Bali Swain
  • Aimable Nsabimana

Abstract

We investigate if financial inclusion leads to improved nutrition in rural Rwanda, using Rwandan Integrated Household Living Conditions surveys (2013/14 and 2016/17). Our empirical evidence shows a robust positive impact of financial inclusion efforts undertaken by formal financial institutions, though informal institutions such as tontines are ineffective in improving food expenditure or nutrition. Furthermore, the study reveals heterogeneous marginal effects of financial inclusion in reducing the gender gap between the food demand and nutrition of female- and male-headed households.

Suggested Citation

  • Ranjula Bali Swain & Aimable Nsabimana, 2023. "Financial inclusion and nutrition among rural households in Rwanda," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2023-141, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2023-141
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jennifer T. Lai & Isabel K. M. Yan & Xingjian Yi & Hao Zhang, 2020. "Digital Financial Inclusion and Consumption Smoothing in China," China & World Economy, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 28(1), pages 64-93, January.
    2. Tesfaye Woldeyohanes & Thomas Heckelei & Yves Surry, 2017. "Effect of off-farm income on smallholder commercialization: panel evidence from rural households in Ethiopia," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 48(2), pages 207-218, March.
    3. Swamy, Vighneswara, 2014. "Financial Inclusion, Gender Dimension, and Economic Impact on Poor Households," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 1-15.
    4. Jeffrey M. Wooldridge, 2015. "Control Function Methods in Applied Econometrics," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 50(2), pages 420-445.
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