Myth-busting? Confronting six common perceptions about unconditional cash transfers as a poverty reduction strategy in Africa
This paper summarizes evidence on six perceptions associated with cash transfer programming, using eight rigorous evaluations conducted on large-scale government unconditional cash transfers in sub-Saharan Africa under the Transfer Project. Specifically, it investigates if transfers: 1) induce highe...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | Inglés |
| Published: |
Oxford University Press
2018
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/145460 |
| _version_ | 1855534757059756032 |
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| author | Handa, Sudhanshu Daidone, Silvio Peterman, Amber Davis, Benjamin Pereira, Audrey Palermo, Tia Yablonski, Jennifer |
| author_browse | Daidone, Silvio Davis, Benjamin Handa, Sudhanshu Palermo, Tia Pereira, Audrey Peterman, Amber Yablonski, Jennifer |
| author_facet | Handa, Sudhanshu Daidone, Silvio Peterman, Amber Davis, Benjamin Pereira, Audrey Palermo, Tia Yablonski, Jennifer |
| author_sort | Handa, Sudhanshu |
| collection | Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace) |
| description | This paper summarizes evidence on six perceptions associated with cash transfer programming, using eight rigorous evaluations conducted on large-scale government unconditional cash transfers in sub-Saharan Africa under the Transfer Project. Specifically, it investigates if transfers: 1) induce higher spending on alcohol or tobacco; 2) are fully consumed (rather than invested); 3) create dependency (reduce participation in productive activities); 4) increase fertility; 5) lead to negative community-level economic impacts (including price distortion and inflation); and 6) are fiscally unsustainable. The paper presents evidence refuting each claim, leading to the conclusion that these perceptions—insofar as they are utilized in policy debates—undercut potential improvements in well-being and livelihood strengthening among the poor, which these programs can bring about in sub-Saharan Africa, and globally. It concludes by underscoring outstanding research gaps and policy implications for the continued expansion of unconditional cash transfers in the region and beyond. |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | CGSpace145460 |
| institution | CGIAR Consortium |
| language | Inglés |
| publishDate | 2018 |
| publishDateRange | 2018 |
| publishDateSort | 2018 |
| publisher | Oxford University Press |
| publisherStr | Oxford University Press |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | CGSpace1454602025-02-24T06:45:12Z Myth-busting? Confronting six common perceptions about unconditional cash transfers as a poverty reduction strategy in Africa Handa, Sudhanshu Daidone, Silvio Peterman, Amber Davis, Benjamin Pereira, Audrey Palermo, Tia Yablonski, Jennifer expenditure fertility household expenditure social protection alcoholic beverages evaluation household income family budget cash transfers tobacco poverty social safety nets household consumption public expenditure impact assessment This paper summarizes evidence on six perceptions associated with cash transfer programming, using eight rigorous evaluations conducted on large-scale government unconditional cash transfers in sub-Saharan Africa under the Transfer Project. Specifically, it investigates if transfers: 1) induce higher spending on alcohol or tobacco; 2) are fully consumed (rather than invested); 3) create dependency (reduce participation in productive activities); 4) increase fertility; 5) lead to negative community-level economic impacts (including price distortion and inflation); and 6) are fiscally unsustainable. The paper presents evidence refuting each claim, leading to the conclusion that these perceptions—insofar as they are utilized in policy debates—undercut potential improvements in well-being and livelihood strengthening among the poor, which these programs can bring about in sub-Saharan Africa, and globally. It concludes by underscoring outstanding research gaps and policy implications for the continued expansion of unconditional cash transfers in the region and beyond. 2018-10-25 2024-06-21T09:04:32Z 2024-06-21T09:04:32Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/145460 en https://hdl.handle.net/10568/156609 Open Access Oxford University Press Handa, Sudhanshu; Daidone, Silvio; Peterman, Amber; Davis, Benjamin; Pereira, Audrey; Palermo, Tia; and Yablonski, Jennifer. 2018. Myth-busting? Confronting six common perceptions about unconditional cash transfers as a poverty reduction strategy in Africa. The World Bank Research Observer 33(2): 259–298. https://doi.org/10.1093/wbro/lky003 |
| spellingShingle | expenditure fertility household expenditure social protection alcoholic beverages evaluation household income family budget cash transfers tobacco poverty social safety nets household consumption public expenditure impact assessment Handa, Sudhanshu Daidone, Silvio Peterman, Amber Davis, Benjamin Pereira, Audrey Palermo, Tia Yablonski, Jennifer Myth-busting? Confronting six common perceptions about unconditional cash transfers as a poverty reduction strategy in Africa |
| title | Myth-busting? Confronting six common perceptions about unconditional cash transfers as a poverty reduction strategy in Africa |
| title_full | Myth-busting? Confronting six common perceptions about unconditional cash transfers as a poverty reduction strategy in Africa |
| title_fullStr | Myth-busting? Confronting six common perceptions about unconditional cash transfers as a poverty reduction strategy in Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Myth-busting? Confronting six common perceptions about unconditional cash transfers as a poverty reduction strategy in Africa |
| title_short | Myth-busting? Confronting six common perceptions about unconditional cash transfers as a poverty reduction strategy in Africa |
| title_sort | myth busting confronting six common perceptions about unconditional cash transfers as a poverty reduction strategy in africa |
| topic | expenditure fertility household expenditure social protection alcoholic beverages evaluation household income family budget cash transfers tobacco poverty social safety nets household consumption public expenditure impact assessment |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/145460 |
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