A Systematic Bibliometric Review of Fiscal Redistribution Policies Addressing Poverty Vulnerability

Abstract

The elimination of poverty in all its forms is the first global goal of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Achieving this goal is recognized as a long-term process that is complicated by persistent vulnerabilities stemming from factors such as natural disasters, food insecurity, health challenges, educational disparities, and social inequality. This systematic bibliometric review provides a comprehensive survey of the impact of social protection-based policies in mitigating poverty vulnerability, focusing on selected countries and regions, including America, Europe, Oceania, and part of Asia and Africa. Our analysis reveals that 81% of the studies examine poverty vulnerability from a single dimension, predominantly focusing on food security and nutrition (23%), climate change shocks (18%), and health-related vulnerabilities (14%). The geographic distribution indicates that the United Kingdom and the United States lead research in this field, contributing 36 and 32 papers, respectively, followed by China (16 papers), South Africa (15 papers), and Canada (10 papers). The results indicate that these fiscal redistribution policies significantly contribute to reducing poverty and inequality and have positive impacts on other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). However, notable gaps remain, especially regarding the integration of these policies with environmental sustainability goals like SDG 13 (Climate Action), which are addressed in only a minority of studies. This study concludes by recommending the adoption of more holistic and integrated policy frameworks that bridge the gap between social protection and environmental sustainability, thereby advancing the entire 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.