Poverty Reduction Research Articles

The peer effects of corporate poverty alleviation behavior: Empirical evidence from China.

This study explores the peer and economic effects of corporate poverty alleviation behavior. Using the data of A-share non-financial listed corporates in Shanghai and Shenzhen of China from 2016 to 2020, the empirical analysis of this study finds that: corporate poverty alleviation behavior has significant peer effects; the guidance of local poverty alleviation policies weakens the peer effects of corporate poverty alleviation behavior; compared to private enterprises, the poverty alleviation behavior of the peer firms has a more significant impact on state-owned enterprises; and corporate poverty alleviation behavior can result in the backflow of economic benefits and achieve the organic unity of economic and social benefits. The purpose of this paper is to explore the peer effects of corporate poverty alleviation behaviors through empirical analysis using available public data. The results of the study not only increase the motivation of corporate to participate in poverty alleviation from a peer effects perspective, but also reveal key factors for sustaining corporate poverty alleviation behaviors.

The impact of national savings on economic development: a focused study on the ten poorest countries in Sub-Saharan Africa

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of national savings on economic development, as measured by the Human Development Index (HDI), Inequality-adjusted HDI (iHDI), and Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), in ten of the poorest countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study employs a sequential Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) analysis to address potential endogeneity issues and account for the dynamic nature of the relationships, covering the period from 2009 to 2019. The findings reveal a complex relationship between national savings and the selected development indicators. While national savings exhibit positive impacts on HDI and iHDI, the results are not consistently statistically significant across all the sequential models. However, the analysis suggests that national savings have a positive influence on reducing multidimensional poverty, as measured by MPI, particularly when effectively channeled into productive investments. The study also highlights the significant positive impact of government expenditure and foreign direct investment (FDI) on human development, underscoring the importance of strategic public investments and foreign capital. The results suggest that while national savings are crucial, their effective utilization is essential for enhancing human development indices. Strategic investments in public goods and foreign capital are also important. The mixed effects of inflation and official development assistance (ODA) emphasize the need for stable economic policies and effective utilization of foreign aid. The modest positive impact of institutional quality suggests that improvements in governance and institutional frameworks can contribute to human development. The findings underscore the need for policies promoting financial inclusion, efficient public expenditure, foreign direct investment, and stable macroeconomic conditions to leverage national savings for economic development. The study’s findings provide valuable insights for policymakers in Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the need for comprehensive strategies that leverage national savings, public expenditure, and foreign investment to drive sustainable economic development and poverty reduction.

Assessment of the Factors Affecting the National ICT Broadband Backbone (NICTBB) Systems Restoration Time

This study investigates the factors affecting the prolonged system restoration time when national ICT broadband backbone (NICTBB) services are affected by breakdown incidents. NICTBB is the government-owned backbone infrastructure constructed nationally by the Republic of Tanzania to increase the usage of ICT for equitable and sustainable socio-economic development and accelerate poverty reduction. This study utilised a mixture of exploratory and descriptive study approaches. The sample size determination was executed using purposing and simple random sampling, thus involving 289 respondents. The data reliability test was undertaken. It was followed by factor analysis, analysis of variances (ANOVA), linear regression analysis, and confirmed with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using IBM SPSS Amos 28 to test the model fitness. The study revealed that the maintenance centres are few and sparsely located, and the distance from maintenance centres increases travelling time, resulting in increased time to restore services. Some factors affecting the restoration time include initial infrastructure design not trenching to locate points of cut, absence of dedicated vehicles standby for NICTBB restoration, retirements of experienced and well-trained staff leaving behind untrained personnel for maintenance activities, and insufficient funds for maintenance. Lastly, power equipment is not looked upon as sometimes the services are down due to commercial power cuts, tripped circuit breakers, and batteries not being charged. Some recommendations include having proper maintenance processes, having enough restoration resources at all maintenance centres, and maintaining proper communication.

The Effect of Remittances on Economic Expansion and Poverty Reduction: Evidence from Pakistan

This study investigates the impact of remittances on economic growth and poverty reduction in Pakistan. The research aims to empirically examine the relationship between remittances, economic expansion and poverty reduction. Using data from 1980 to 2021, sourced from the World Bank, the study employs the Augmented Dickey-Fuller test to assess the stationarity of variables. The results indicate that all variables are stationary, using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach for analysis. The ARDL bound test confirms a long-term relationship between the variables. In the context of economic growth, the study finds that remittances have a positive and significant impact, with a 1% increase in remittances associated with a 0.26% rise in GDP. However, the study observes a negative impact of foreign direct investment on GDP. Regarding poverty reduction, the results suggest that remittances have a negative and insignificant effect on poverty, with a 1% increase associated with a 0.53% decrease in poverty. Granger causality tests reveal unidirectional causation between remittances and economic growth and between remittances and poverty. The findings underscore the importance of remittances in influencing economic growth and poverty reduction in Pakistan. Recommendations include policies to enhance remittances' positive impact on economic growth and poverty alleviation. The study's implications extend to policy recommendations, emphasizing the potential benefits of remittances in fostering economic growth and poverty reduction. Policymakers are encouraged to consider remittances' positive impact when formulating sustainable development strategies. Additionally, the research contributes to the existing literature by providing insights into the nuanced relationships among remittances, economic growth, and poverty alleviation in Pakistan.

Empowering Women through Self Help Groups led Microcredit: A Novel Initiative

In this paper, an exploratory analysis is made to comprehend whether microcredithas empowered women by increasing their access to credit and if so to what extent and how.It is not only poverty alleviation, microcredit has empowered women by increasing theiraccess to credit, inculcating banking habits and raising family income. It has beeninstrumental in pushing them out of debt trap. Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) play asignificant role on account of their capacity to meet the financial needs of the poor who areexcluded from institutional finance due to lack of collateral. They include facilities such asdeposits, loans, payment services, money transfers, and insurance to poor and low-incomehouseholds and their micro-enterprises. The concept of ‘enhanced agency’ Sen (1995) thatrefers to people’s ability to act on behalf of goals that matter to them is used to understandwomen empowerment through participation in microfinance. This paper is the report of astudy carried out at Kalliyoor panchayat in Nemom block, Thiruvananthapuram, with asample size of 110. The study relies on quantitative as well as qualitative research tools.

Zakat Maal Management and Regulation Practices: Evidence from Malaysia, Turki and Indonesia

This research investigates the management and regulatory practices of zakat maal (wealth tax) in Malaysia, Turkey, and Indonesia, aiming to provide a comparative analysis grounded in empirical data. Methodologically, the study employs a comparative qualitative analysis based on secondary data from academic literature, government reports, and institutional publications. The results show, first, Malaysia employs a centralized and technologically integrated approach, ensuring transparency and efficiency in zakat collection and distribution. In contrast, Turkey adopts a decentralized model driven by non-governmental organizations and community participation, fostering flexibility but posing challenges in standardization and oversight. Indonesia's hybrid model combines governmental oversight with private sector involvement, aiming to balance regulatory control with local adaptability, yet needs help in coordination and public trust. Second, the policy enhancements such as improved coordination mechanisms, strengthened regulatory frameworks, and enhanced public awareness to optimize Zakat's role in poverty alleviation and social welfare across Malaysia, Turkey, and Indonesia. This research contributes to the broader discourse on Islamic finance and social policy by providing nuanced insights into zakat management practices, offering valuable implications for policymakers, practitioners, and scholars interested in enhancing zakat efficacy globally.

Disparities in achieving SDG goal of ‘no poverty’ for developing countries: technical efficiency estimates across Asian, African and American nations

ABSTRACT Globally, people acknowledge poverty as the greatest tragedy in human history, a serious threat to sustainable living, and a barrier to the development of human capital. Realising the importance of lowering global poverty, the United Nations incorporated ‘End poverty in all its forms everywhere’ as the first of the 17 SDGs for Sustainable Development. This background motivates us to look into how different lower-middle- or lower-income countries are achieving the first SDG goal. Consequently, the study primarily investigates the efficiency of 43 lower middle- or lower-income countries in Asia, Africa, and America in reaching the SDG goal of ‘No poverty’ by using the Stochastic Production Frontier from 2019 to 2020. Concurrently, the analysis pinpoints the causes of the nation’s inefficiency in accomplishing that objective. According to the study’s findings the Korea Republic is the most efficient nation at reaching the objective of ‘No poverty.’ Guinea is the least efficient. In conjunction with inefficiency issues, the analysis demonstrates that rising CO2 emissions paradoxically promote efficiency in the battle against poverty; conversely, rising corruption increases inefficiency. Conflict significantly impedes any constructive goal, such as poverty reduction. Corruption and intentional homicides serve as proxy indicators of conflict in this context. A rise in conflict variables reduces the nation’s efficacy in lowering poverty rates. The article ends by outlining future research goals and making pertinent policy recommendations.

Pengembangan Sumber Daya Manusia dalam Pengentasan Kemiskinan di Kalimantan Timur

This research discusses human resource development (HRD) as a key strategy in poverty alleviation efforts in East Kalimantan. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, this study analyses various factors that influence the quality of human resources and their relationship with the poverty rate in the region. The data used comes from secondary sources, including government reports and statistical data. The results show that improving the quality of education, access to health, and economic empowerment of local communities are key to reducing poverty. This research provides policy recommendations for local and national governments to focus on improving the quality of human capital as a strategic step in poverty alleviation in East Kalimantan.

Exploring the Impact of Foreign Aid, Agricultural Production, and Corporate Social Responsibility on Poverty Reduction in Pakistan

Exploring the Impact of Foreign Aid, Agricultural Production, and Corporate Social Responsibility on Poverty Reduction in Pakistan

How do the Special Autonomy Fund, Village Fund, and Zakat interact in reducing poverty in Aceh Province?

This study explores the interaction between Special Autonomy Fund, Village Fund, and Zakat in poverty reduction efforts in Aceh Province. As a region with special autonomy status, Aceh receives a transfer allocation from the central government, which aims to accelerate development and improve people's welfare. In addition, village funds managed directly by the village government and zakat collected through religious institutions play an important role in supporting the local economy and social of the poor. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of special autonomy fund, village fund, and zakat on poverty rate in Aceh Province in the short run and long run. The method used is Panel ARDL by analyzing data from 23 districts/cities in Aceh Province during the period 2015-2022. The estimation results show that the special autonomy fund variable has a negative and significant effect on the poverty rate in Aceh Province in the short term, but has no significant effect in the long term. The village fund variable has a negative and significant effect on poverty in the short term, but has a positive and significant effect in the long term. Zakat has a negative and significant effect on poverty both in the short and long term. The Aceh Provincial Government should conduct more intensive policies in reducing poverty, especially the variables of special autonomy funds, village funds and zakat so that these problems can be resolved.

The impact of small scale fish farming on poverty reduction in South-East Zone of Nigeria

Over the years, successive administrations in Nigeria have embarked on numerous poverty reduction programmes aimed at reducing the poverty rate in Nigeria. These efforts have not yielded much result as poverty rate has continued to soar and pervade every geo-political zone in Nigeria. The poverty situation, coupled with the low uptake of fish farming technology in the south-east zone has prompted the need to examine the impact of small-scale fish farming on poverty reduction in the south-east zone of Nigeria. The dependent variable of the study is poverty reduction, which has household expenditure as its proxy. The independent variable is small-scale fish farming, proxy by income, employment, food security and consumption multiplier. Data collection was made through in-depth Interview (IDI) guide, while analysis was done using thematic analysis technique. A total of 40 participants, comprising of 30 fish-farm owners and 10 employees were selected purposively from the states of Anambra, Ebonyi and Imo for the interview. The study findings suggest that small-scale fish farmingin the study area impacts positively on poverty reduction, as increase in each of the independent variables tends to increase the dependent variable. The study recommended the establishment of fish farm settlements; granting of credit facilities to fish farmers; establishment of skill acquisition and training centers for farm employees; and improvement electricity supply and road network for lower energy cost and easy transportation of fish products. Keywords: Fish Farming, Small-Scale, Poverty Reduction.

A Statistical Analysis and Strategic Recommendations on Global Educational Investment and Poverty Reduction

Purpose: This study examines the relationship between educational funding and poverty alleviation worldwide. By analyzing data from 1960 to 2023, encompassing 71 countries, it aims to understand how increasing educational investment impacts poverty rates. Methodology: The analysis utilized data from the World Bank’s World Development Indicators. Data cleaning was performed using Excel, while statistical analyses were conducted using Python’s sci-kit-learn, SciPy, NumPy, Matplotlib, and IBM’s SPSS. The methodologies included a normal model setup, Gaussian Process Regression (GPR), linear regression, hypothesis testing, and confidence interval computation to establish correlations and predict outcomes. Findings: The study discovered a negative correlation between education funding and poverty rates. Specifically, a 1% increase in educational spending as a percentage of GDP correlates with a 3.09% reduction in poverty rates. The 95% confidence interval of [-4.979, -1.201] and the hypothesis test with a p value of 0.002 on the slope of the regression line further reinforce the observed negative trend. GPR predictions indicate that the decrease in poverty rate changes from about 5% to 10% of population as educational funding rises from 0% to 1.5% of GDP. The likelihood of annual poverty rate increase stands at 40.46%, with a potential 0.4052% rise in such cases. Unique contribution to theory, practice, and policy: This study recommends progressive educational funding reforms, targeted tax credits for educational investments, and strategic educational programs aligned with labor market needs. Policy implications suggest a multilateral approach involving governments, corporations, and citizens to foster substantial improvements in education and poverty reduction efforts. These findings advocate for data-driven policy reforms to optimize the socio-economic benefits of educational funding globally.

A Statistical Analysis and Strategic Recommendations on Global Educational Investment and Poverty Reduction

Purpose: This study examines the relationship between educational funding and poverty alleviation worldwide. By analyzing data from 1960 to 2023, encompassing 71 countries, it aims to understand how increasing educational investment impacts poverty rates. Methodology: The analysis utilized data from the World Bank’s World Development Indicators. Data cleaning was performed using Excel, while statistical analyses were conducted using Python’s sci-kit-learn, SciPy, NumPy, Matplotlib, and IBM’s SPSS. The methodologies included a normal model setup, Gaussian Process Regression (GPR), linear regression, hypothesis testing, and confidence interval computation to establish correlations and predict outcomes. Findings: The study discovered a negative correlation between education funding and poverty rates. Specifically, a 1% increase in educational spending as a percentage of GDP correlates with a 3.09% reduction in poverty rates. The 95% confidence interval of [-4.979, -1.201] and the hypothesis test with a p value of 0.002 on the slope of the regression line further reinforce the observed negative trend. GPR predictions indicate that the decrease in poverty rate changes from about 5% to 10% of population as educational funding rises from 0% to 1.5% of GDP. The likelihood of annual poverty rate increase stands at 40.46%, with a potential 0.4052% rise in such cases. Unique contribution to theory, practice, and policy: This study recommends progressive educational funding reforms, targeted tax credits for educational investments, and strategic educational programs aligned with labor market needs. Policy implications suggest a multilateral approach involving governments, corporations, and citizens to foster substantial improvements in education and poverty reduction efforts. These findings advocate for data-driven policy reforms to optimize the socio-economic benefits of educational funding globally.

The role of renewable energies in the transition to a sustainable energy model: Challenges and opportunities

This study focused on the important role of renewable energies in the transition to a sustainable energy model and assessed their benefits, challenges and opportunities. Renewable energies have been identified as an important solution to respond to climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and diversifying the energy matrix. However, challenges have been identified, including the scarcity and variability of renewable energy sources, high upfront costs and the need for infrastructure improvements. However, significant opportunities in energy storage were highlighted, including technological advances, favorable policies and regulations, and financial innovations. The positive socio-economic impact of renewable energy on job creation, social development and poverty reduction has also been demonstrated. In summary, the importance of harnessing the potential of renewable energy and addressing current challenges is key to moving towards a more secure and sustainable future.

Analysis of some socio-economic factors affecting maternal health in Nigeria

This study examined socio-economic factors affecting maternal health in Nigeria. Mothers and children are at the highest risk of disease and death. Deaths of infants and children under-5 years are peculiar and closely related to maternal health, and the risk of death of children increases if their mothers die in childbirth. This study employed secondary data obtained from World Bank, CBN, and Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey from 1990 to 2022. Using the Error Correction Model (ECM), the data were subjected to regression analysis, where we estimated the relationship between dependent variable (maternal mortality) and independent variables (poverty rate, literacy rate, and level of government expenditure on health). The results show that poverty, literacy and government provision of healthcare facilities are major socio-economic factors affecting maternal health in Nigeria. This study therefore, recommended increase in budgetary allocation to the health sector, diversification of the economy aimed at poverty reduction, and the enforcement of free and compulsory basic education especially for the girl child, as the panacea for poor maternal health in Nigeria. Keywords: Mortality, Poverty, Literacy.

Analysis of some socio-economic factors affecting maternal health in Nigeria

This study examined socio-economic factors affecting maternal health in Nigeria. Mothers and children are at the highest risk of disease and death. Deaths of infants and children under-5 years are peculiar and closely related to maternal health, and the risk of death of children increases if their mothers die in childbirth. This study employed secondary data obtained from World Bank, CBN, and Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey from 1990 to 2022. Using the Error Correction Model (ECM), the data were subjected to regression analysis, where we estimated the relationship between dependent variable (maternal mortality) and independent variables (poverty rate, literacy rate, and level of government expenditure on health). The results show that poverty, literacy and government provision of healthcare facilities are major socio-economic factors affecting maternal health in Nigeria. This study therefore, recommended increase in budgetary allocation to the health sector, diversification of the economy aimed at poverty reduction, and the enforcement of free and compulsory basic education especially for the girl child, as the panacea for poor maternal health in Nigeria. Keywords: Mortality, Poverty, Literacy.

Pengaruh Tingkat Pengangguran Terbuka, Indeks Pembangunan Manusia, Laju Pertumbuhan PDRB Per Kapita dan Upah Minimum Provinsi Terhadap Persentase Penduduk Miskin di Indonesia pada Tahun 2021-2023

Poverty is a problem faced by Indonesia that affects social and economic welfare. This research aims to analyze the influence of the Open Unemployment Rate (TPT), Human Development Index (HDI), GDP Growth Rate per capita, and Provincial Minimum Wage (UMP) on the percentage poor population in Indonesia in 2021-2023. The data used is secondary data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) which covers 34 provinces in Indonesia. The research method uses the Common Effects Model (CEM), Fixed Effects Model (FEM), and Random Effects Model (REM) estimation models, with the Chow test and Hausman test to determine the best model. The research results show that TPT and UMP have a significant influence on the percentage of poor people, while HDI and GDP growth rate per capita are not significant. Rate and provincial minimum wages play an important role in poverty reduction efforts in Indonesia. The results of this research provide useful insights for policy makers in formulating effective strategies to improve community welfare

Climate, weather, and child health: quantifying health co-benefits

Climate change affects human health negatively in a number of complex ways, and children are particularly vulnerable. Quantifying the negative impacts of climate change on health, and identifying locations where children are at greater risk, can aid evidence-based policy making. We combine high-resolution climatic data with a dataset on infant and child mortality, wasting, and stunting, from more than a hundred countries, to estimate the effects of both gradual and acute climate change, focusing on drought and heatwaves, to plausibly attribute changing child health outcomes to historical climate change. Our results suggest a non-linear relationship between temperature and children’s health, adverse effects of increases in acute events, and a strong regional heterogeneity in these impacts. Our findings also highlight the importance of poverty reduction. Greater wealth is associated with better child health outcomes, and partially mitigates the negative impacts of climate change on child health. Finally, using updated warming scenarios, our projections show that there are substantial health co-benefits from achieving low emissions scenarios.

Pengaruh Tingkat Pengangguran Terbuka, Indeks Pembangunan Manusia, Laju Pertumbuhan PDRB Per Kapita dan Upah Minimum Provinsi Terhadap Persentase Penduduk Miskin di Indonesia pada Tahun 2021-2023

Poverty is a problem faced by Indonesia that affects social and economic welfare. This research aims to analyze the influence of the Open Unemployment Rate (TPT), Human Development Index (HDI), GDP Growth Rate per capita, and Provincial Minimum Wage (UMP) on the percentage poor population in Indonesia in 2021-2023. The data used is secondary data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) which covers 34 provinces in Indonesia. The research method uses the Common Effects Model (CEM), Fixed Effects Model (FEM), and Random Effects Model (REM) estimation models, with the Chow test and Hausman test to determine the best model. The research results show that TPT and UMP have a significant influence on the percentage of poor people, while HDI and GDP growth rate per capita are not significant. Rate and provincial minimum wages play an important role in poverty reduction efforts in Indonesia. The results of this research provide useful insights for policy makers in formulating effective strategies to improve community welfare

EFFECTIVENESS OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 70 OR THE NATIONAL TASK FORCE TO END LOCAL COMMUNIST ARMED CONFLICT: EXPERIENCES ON THE POVERTY REDUCTION, LIVELIHOOD, AND EMPLOYMENT CLUSTER OF THE SELECTED COMMUNITIES IN KIBAWE, BUKIDNON, PHILIPPINES

This study examines the experiences of the selected communities in the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF- ELCAC) Poverty Reduction, Livelihoods, and Employment Cluster of Executive Order No. 70. It utilized qualitative research through the phenomenology approach as it studied the experiences of the selected communities in Kibawe, Bukidnon. It employed thematic analysis in this investigation to assess the study’s focus group discussion. The study concludes that the whole-of-the-nation approach of the government was an effective tool for the government to uplift the living conditions of the selected communities by reducing poverty through livelihood and employment programs, penetrating the most insurgency-vulnerable areas in the municipality, and increasing the representation of the selected communities in the local government units through their representatives. These programs and projects under NTF-ELCAC PRLEC have had a political, social, and economic impact on the lives of the selected communities by reducing poverty, providing work opportunities for the communities, and helping them to become self-reliant without revolting against the government.