Assessing national land administration reform in Mongolia: A mixed method evaluation using bank loan and historical land administration data

Abstract

This study presents the findings from a rigorous performance evaluation of a land registry strengthening project in Mongolia. The paper contributes to a small but growing body of systematic evaluations on land administration interventions—and particularly on efforts to build the national capacity of state agencies through institutional strengthening initiatives. The research highlights a methodological approach that utilizes mixed method data sources to explore outcomes in a more rigorous way and through a gendered lens. We rely on a unique set of primary quantitative data sources, including extensive land administration and bank loan data. In addition to ex- ploring outcomes associated with credit access and lending, our extensive data sources enable us to delve into transaction cost, efficiency, and volume. We complement the quantitative data with comprehensive qualitative data from interviews and focus group discussions. This study finds that the project improved Mongolia’s registration process and land administration system. There are notable increases in transaction efficiency; digitization and strengthening of information systems; and improved transparency and access to land records. In contrast, there is more limited evidence about the program’s effect on facilitating improvements in the accuracy of land records, land markets, access to credit, and gender equality in land rights. While the project helped to reduce some instances of corruption, there remain broad challenges to land governance reform.