A Decade of Poverty Reduction in Kazakhstan 2000-2009: Growth and/or Redistribution?

Abstract

Abstract This paper examines the main factors behind the strong decline in poverty experienced in Kazakhstan. Specifically, it examines the contribution of growth and redistribution to household consumption and to poverty indicators in Kazakhstan for the period 2001-2009. The analysis relies on estimates of pro-poor growth indices using cross-sections of household data. It finds that growth has been strongly pro-poor. Growth was the main driver behind the fall in poverty in the first half of the decade, but redistribution becomes important in sustaining poverty reduction in the latter part of the decade. Redistribution was crucial to sustaining poverty reduction in the aftermath of the financial crisis.