Poverty Reduction Research Articles

The Role of Sharia Economics in Realizing Sustainable Development in Indonesia

This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the role of Sharia economics in promoting sustainable development in Indonesia. By examining 810 publications between 2006 and 2024, the study explores key research trends, themes, and collaborations in the literature. The analysis reveals a significant increase in research activity after 2020, with a focus on aligning Islamic finance principles with sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly in areas such as poverty alleviation, economic growth, and green finance. Keyword co-occurrence visualizations highlight the importance of concepts such as "green sukuk," "economic growth," and "poverty alleviation," while co-authorship networks show concentrated collaboration within small research groups. The findings suggest that Sharia economics has substantial potential to contribute to SDGs, particularly through instruments like green sukuk and waqf, but greater interdisciplinary collaboration and exploration of emerging topics like technology and post-pandemic recovery are needed. These insights have significant implications for both academic research and policy-making in Indonesia and beyond.

How do policy measures affect the ability of poverty-stricken households to cope with external shocks? From the perspective of differences in the human capital endowment of households.

Human capital plays a vital role in poverty-stricken households' efforts to cope with external shocks. Improving the human capital of poverty-stricken households to help them address external shocks can enhance the sustainability of poverty-stricken household livelihoods and support poverty alleviation. In this study, households with dependent children and older members were selected from questionnaires covering 6,463 poverty-stricken households from 33 poverty alleviation districts and counties in Chongqing municipality, China. Multiple linear regression model and stepwise regression methods were then used to compare the effects of the number of household members supported and the number of those working on the increase in income among poverty-stricken and nonpoverty-stricken households. Finally, the correlations between policy measures, dependent household members and household labor were examined. The results show the following: (1) Policy measures can alleviate the negative impact of a household's dependent population on household income. (2) Poverty-stricken households' access to policy support is closely related to the characteristics of their human capital. The household's dependent members and laborers are effectively protected by safety net and cargo net policies. (3) Policy measures can mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the income of nonagricultural laborers while increasing the income of agricultural laborers. The findings show that the ability of poverty-stricken households to overcome poverty and deal with external shocks can be increased by revitalizing rural industries, linking the development of rural industries with the income of poverty-stricken households, and rationally using rural labor resources.

Fundraising and Zakat Distribution in Poverty Alleviation in Maruthamunai, Sri Lanka: A Maqashid Sharia Perspective

In Sri Lanka, poverty has been one of the most pressing social issues over the past decade. This research examines zakat fundraising strategies and analyzes zakat distribution patterns in Maruthamunai, Sri Lanka, where Muslims constitute the dominant ethnic group. The current role of zakat in Maruthamunai is crucial in alleviating poverty. Primary data for this study included annual fundraising and distribution reports from the Zakat Fund, covering the years 2019 to 2023. As part of this qualitative research, unstructured interviews were conducted with the president, general secretary, deputy president, assistant secretary, members, and prominent individuals in the region. Data analysis was conducted using coding and is presented descriptively through the maqasid sharia approach. The results of this study indicate that the distribution of zakat funds in Maruthamunai has been less effective due to several factors, including insufficient receipt of zakat funds and inadequately structured internal distribution policies. Policymakers should focus on prioritizing the primary level of welfare needs (mashlahah dharuriyyah). Within this framework, the maqasid sharia perspective emphasizes the development of human resources as a priority over material development. Therefore, despite the relatively high poverty rate, the objectives of preserving religion, safeguarding human life, ensuring generational continuity, protecting intellect, and promoting wealth circulation can still be effectively pursued.

Policy, intervention, and management in addressing stunting in children: A systematic review

Stunting is a chronic malnutrition problem caused by a lack of nutrients over a long period. This leads to problems later in life, resulting in difficulty in achieving optimal physical and cognitive development. This study analyzes policies, interventions, and addresses of child stunting in Asian, African, and American countries through a systematic review. The design used is a systematic review, articles are collected using electronic databases such as ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, ProQuest, PubMed, and SAGE from 2019-2023 using the keywords policy, management, and stunting. As the results of the literature review to reduce stunting rates, stunting policies and programs focus on food security, decentralization of the health system, availability of health services and access to health services, maternal education, access to water, hygiene, sanitation, maternal nutrition, and poverty alleviation—appropriate policy implementation results of holistic and comprehensive policy formulation. Stunting prevention requires cross-program and cross-sector collaboration and is carried out comprehensively.

Integrated Community Development to Alleviate Poverty and Social Problems: Case Study of DesaBerdaya (Empowered Village) Rumah Zakat

This research explores the community empowerment model implemented by Rumah Zakat through the DesaBerdaya program to reduce poverty and social issues in Indonesia. The program uses an integrated approach encompassing economic, educational, health, environmental, and disaster mitigation sectors, aiming to improve the quality of human resources through local empowerment. The program also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in poverty alleviation, good health, quality education, and access to clean water and sanitation. The research findings indicate positive systemic changes in various villages that have received interventions from this program, both in social and economic aspects. Significant improvements in community welfare have been observed, with the program running sustainably at the local level. The program successfully empowered communities to become self-reliant and created long-term impacts on village development in Indonesia.

Analysis of Zakat as an Alternative Fiscal Instrument in Supporting Economic Development in Indonesia

This study explores the potential of zakat as an alternative fiscal instrument in supporting economic development in Indonesia. Zakat, a mandatory charitable contribution in Islam, has the ability to address poverty, reduce income inequality, and contribute to economic growth. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 80 respondents, including zakat payers, recipients, and administrators, through a Likert-scale survey. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 to evaluate the impact of zakat distribution efficiency and utilization on poverty reduction and economic development. The results demonstrate that both zakat distribution efficiency and utilization significantly contribute to poverty reduction and economic development, supporting the hypothesis that zakat can play a crucial role as a fiscal tool. The study's findings suggest that improving zakat management practices and aligning zakat utilization with long-term development goals could enhance its impact on Indonesia's economic growth.

Cultural and Socio-Economic Contexts in Policy Design: Proposing Theoretical Insights on How Psychoeconomics Can Inform the Design of Poverty Alleviation Policies

Cultural and Socio-Economic Contexts in Policy Design: Proposing Theoretical Insights on How Psychoeconomics Can Inform the Design of Poverty Alleviation Policies

Poverty Alleviation from an Islamic Perspective: Study of LazisNU Ponorogo Programs

Poverty is a deep-rooted social issue that demands serious attention in its resolution. Islam rejects poverty, considering it a calamity that must be fought, while social welfare is a shared responsibility, as outlined in Article 34 and Article 27 Paragraph 2 of the 1945 Constitution. Despite the government's efforts to alleviate poverty since independence, the results could have been more optimal. This study employs a descriptive qualitative method, collecting data through interviews, observations, documentation, and literature analysis. It also examines Islamic poverty alleviation through a NU Care-LAZISNU Ponorogo case study, which manages zakat, infaq, and sedekah to assist people experiencing poverty. The findings of this study highlight the need to apply Islamic economic principles in social and economic policies to reduce inequality and improve social welfare in Indonesia.

An Analysis of the Impact of Self-Help Group Bank Linkage Program on Sustainable Development

India's banking system has advanced its reach to the poorest people in urban and rural areas. It is recognized that their credit requirements are frequent, unpredictable and very small. However, these are crucial for the development of the rural regions. Therefore, the country's banking system has emphasized this area to promote savings and insurance financial products in this target population. Hence, alternative policies, procedures, and systems have been developed to fulfil these people's credit requirements. One such program is Self-help Group Bank Linkage, which is implemented to provide easy microfinance to members of these groups. This paper adopts a qualitative research methodology to discuss the impact of self-help bank linkage programs on sustainable development. This is assessed through a framework of UN’s 17 sustainable development goals. A systematic review has been conducted to determine the effectiveness of this program in attaining these goals in India. The study's results pointed out this program's impact on sustainable development. It has been found to directly and indirectly impact the attainment of many UN sustainable development goals. The study aims to analyze the effectiveness of microfinancing programs in rural India in achieving UN sustainable development goals. Entire rural India is considered for this paper. A qualitative research methodology has been adopted for this paper. Past research work and governmental data have been used to find the impact of self-help bank linkage programs on poverty alleviation. Household incomes have increased, and people have become financially empowered. There is a broader contribution to sustainable development practice and theory with the implementation of this program. People have gained access to better housing, education, clean drinking water, energy and health.

Breaking barriers: The impact of girls’ education on poverty eradication in northern Nigeria – A Focus on Sokoto State

This research explores the critical role of girls' education in alleviating poverty in Sokoto State, Nigeria. It highlights the significant gender disparities in educational access, driven by cultural norms that prioritize boys' education, which impede both individual potential and broader economic growth. The research underscores that educated women contribute to workforce participation and family income, thereby fostering community development and reducing poverty. Despite some progress, challenges such as socio-cultural attitudes, inadequate infrastructure, and economic constraints persist, necessitating a multi-faceted approach involving policy reforms and community engagement. The study employs a mixed-methods methodology, revealing that while enrolment rates have improved, gender inequities remain pronounced. It advocates for targeted interventions and community involvement to shift perceptions and enhance girls' educational opportunities, ultimately aiming for sustainable development goals in Northern Nigeria.

Growth, Poverty, and Food Policy in the Philippines: Lessons for the Post-COVID-19 Era

The Philippine economy’s growth has accelerated since 2010, outperforming its Asian peers in the current decade. However, poverty reduction is comparatively weak in response to growth, suggesting that growth has been less inclusive than expected. Poverty in the Philippines is still largely a rural phenomenon despite the country’s rapid urbanization. Our primary objective is to reexamine how much the national food policy has influenced the poverty-reducing effects of economic growth using the more recent national household-level data from 2000 to 2021. The longer-term data, including a period of mobility relaxation following long lockdowns upon the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, allow us to revisit the growth-poverty conundrum in the Philippines. We focus on the more recent decade of relatively sustained growth compared to earlier studies on the subject. We use Engel food shares as a proxy for household welfare and consider the differential welfare effects of food price changes across segments of the population. We show that economic growth in recent years would have been strongly pro-poor if not for the misguided set of policy tools chosen to achieve the food self-sufficiency goal. The government’s move to dismantle the quantitative restriction regime on rice imports in favor of tariffs is a step in the right direction.

Women’s Entrepreneurship for Poverty Alleviation: Impact of Mission Shakti in Odisha, India

The study analyzes the impact of women’s entrepreneurial efforts on rural poverty (RP) reduction across two resource-scarce regions of Odisha, India. Its main objectives are creating creative home-based ventures (HBVs) and long-term RP solutions. The analysis assesses how home-based entrepreneurs’ sociocultural, economic and educational backgrounds affect the development of HBVs and the mitigation of RP. A women-led project in Odisha called Mission Shakti uses self-help groups and business ventures to empower women. The original data was gathered from 363 respondents in Odisha who were members of the Mission Shakti group. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied to investigate the correlations between the constructs, and AMOS (Analysis of Moment Structures 21.0) and SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 20.0) were used for the analysis. The findings indicate that RP alleviation through Mission Shakti in Odisha and entrepreneurship have a statistically significant and favourable relationship. The additional findings of the study demonstrate that respondents’ sociocultural capabilities, rather than their educational and economic backgrounds, have a considerable and favourable influence on the expansion of their home-based enterprises and that the improvement of RP alleviation is more positively impacted by the qualitative growth of entrepreneurship than by the numeric growth. The study’s concentration on woman entrepreneurs in Mission Shakti’s rural Khordha and Angul areas is one of its limitations. It is possible to carry out comparable research in other Indian areas where the rural populace is significantly deprived. Policymakers in rural Odisha should consider the findings to address targeted RP. Thus, this report recommends that home-based businesses in rural Odisha should actively explore entrepreneurship to reduce poverty. Additionally, the study offers a helpful lesson to different parties involved in programs to reduce poverty in other developing nations. The integration of capacity theory and SEM in the setting of a rising economy such as Odisha, India, contributes to the body of knowledge in this research regarding the relationship linking entrepreneurship and the alleviation of RP.

How Does the Adoption of e‐Commerce Impact the Selling Prices of Agricultural Products? Empirical Evidence From Apple Farmers in China

ABSTRACTThe sale of products through e‐commerce is emerging in rural China, and it cuts out intermediaries and allows farmers direct access to the market. To understand how adopting e‐commerce impacts the selling prices of agricultural products and who benefits more from adopting e‐commerce, we interviewed 480 apple farmers from the three representative provinces in China. The Propensity Score Matching approach combined with sensitivity analysis is employed to address the potential self‐selection bias in estimating the impacts of adopting e‐commerce. We find that adopting of e‐commerce drives significant increases in the selling prices of apple products, including the average price, the maximum price and the minimum price. The heterogeneity analysis suggests that the adoption of e‐commerce has significant heterogeneous effects on selling prices across various ages and education of household heads, land area, distance to the local town centre and social capital. The analysis of potential pathways reveals that increases in selling prices are attributed to farmers achieving more marketing flexibility through more adaptable sale times and extended sale periods due to adopting e‐commerce. The research findings provide rigorous evidence on optimal future policy design regarding the development of rural e‐commerce for poverty alleviation in China and other developing countries.

Design-Driven Sustainable Poverty Alleviation: A Case Study of Precise Identification and Resource Optimization in Rural Areas

China’s transition from precise poverty alleviation to rural revitalization represents a critical development stage. This study aims to explore how a design-driven approach can achieve sustainable poverty alleviation and development by addressing challenges such as relative poverty, imprecise targeting, insufficient endogenous motivation, and the risk of returning to poverty. Understanding the inherent relationship between poverty alleviation and sustainable development is crucial for deepening precise poverty alleviation strategies and promoting rural revitalization. This study employs the TOPSIS method to accurately identify target groups for poverty eradication and select optimal poverty alleviation strategies based on multidimensional poverty governance criteria. A case study of Village M in Guangdong Province is conducted, where questionnaire surveys and sampling methods are used to establish the TOPSIS model for precise identification and the design of targeted interventions to support poverty eradication. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches are applied to ensure comprehensive analysis and results. The findings indicate that targeted design interventions, particularly those leveraging local bamboo resources, led to a significant increase in the annual per capita income of identified families by approximately 176.32%, from RMB 3146 (approximately USD 431) to RMB 8700 (approximately USD 1192). This design-driven approach effectively stimulated the innovation consciousness of impoverished farmers, demonstrating the critical role of sustainable design strategies in optimally matching resources to the needs of the poor. This study contributes to the development of a novel framework integrating design methodologies with poverty alleviation strategies, providing empirical evidence on the effectiveness of these interventions. The findings highlight the importance of user-centered design in promoting sustainable development and underscore the need to incorporate design-driven methodologies in poverty alleviation efforts.

Effectiveness of Productive Waqf Management in Improving the Welfare of the Poor: A Bibliometric Review

This bibliometric study examines the evolution and thematic concentration within the field of productive waqf management from 2000 to 2024, employing a comprehensive analysis of academic publications to understand the dynamic interplay between Islamic philanthropy and socio-economic development. Through the utilization of citation metrics and VOSviewer tools, the study reveals significant growth in research focusing on the integration of traditional Islamic charitable mechanisms with modern financial tools, notably micro waqf banks and zakat, aimed at enhancing community welfare and poverty alleviation. Collaborative networks among scholars indicate robust intellectual communities with concentrated expertise in specific thematic areas. The findings emphasize the potential of productive waqf in supporting broader economic and social objectives, including alignment with the sustainable development goals (SDGs), and highlight the emerging trend of leveraging technology to increase the transparency and efficiency of waqf management. Challenges in governance and professional management are identified as critical areas needing attention to maximize the impact of waqf. The study proposes future research directions focused on empirical evaluations and the potential impacts of technological innovations in waqf management.

Key Indicators in Analyzing the Sustainability of Afghanistan's Natural Resources

The research investigates the factors influencing the sustainability of Afghanistan's natural resources, aiming to guide the country towards sustainable development and poverty alleviation. Utilizing the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and strategic planning models, the study identifies and prioritizes key factors such as organizational structure and management, and economic, social, cultural, and ecological aspects. The findings reveal that organizational and managerial structure is the most critical factor, with a weight of 38%. The research emphasizes the necessity of integrated and systematic management of natural resources, which could improve economic and social well-being. It also highlights the importance of strategic planning, monitoring, and evaluation to ensure effective resource management. The study proposes a model for sustainable natural resource management that includes community empowerment, knowledge integration, economic viability, and enhanced communication among stakeholders. The research concludes that a comprehensive understanding of all influencing factors and their interactions is essential for designing a model for sustainable natural resource management.

Understanding the Dimensions of Educational Inequality in China: Urban-Rural, Gender and Economic Factors

Educational inequality in China is a complex issue deeply rooted in historical, social, and economic contexts. Disparities in educational opportunities and quality arise from factors such as urban-rural divides, gender biases, and economic inequalities. This study aims to explore the dimensions of educational inequality in China, focusing on the impacts of urban-rural differences, gender disparities, and economic factors on educational opportunities and outcomes. Utilizing a qualitative research methodology, the study conducts a comprehensive review of academic articles, government reports, and relevant literature to analyze the causes of educational inequality and the effectiveness of current interventions. The findings reveal significant disparities between urban and rural areas in terms of educational resources and opportunities, with urban schools benefiting from superior infrastructure, qualified teachers, and more funding. Economic disparities further restrict access to quality education for low-income families, while gender biases in rural areas exacerbate educational inequality for girls. The study identifies critical gaps in investment, infrastructure, and support systems. To address these issues, it is recommended to increase investment in educational resources, improve infrastructure, and enhance support for teachers in underfunded regions. Additionally, strengthening social support networks, simplifying financial aid processes, and improving the effectiveness of education poverty alleviation programs are essential. These measures will help reduce educational disparities, promote fairness, and support social mobility across diverse population groups.

Employment Generation of Small-Scale Enterpise and Poverty Alleviation in Rivers State

Job creation opportunities of small-scale businesses in Nigeria for low-skilled workers should be the key to employment creation, which in turn leads to poverty reduction. The seeks to investigate the effects of the employment generation of small-scale enterprises and poverty alleviation in Rivers State. The study used descriptive statistics and the Z-test for the analyses of the data. The finding revealed that the employment generation of small-scale enterprises has a positive and significant effect on poverty alleviation in Nigeria. In addition, it was established that the economic benefits of participants in small-scale enterprises have a positive and significant effect on poverty alleviation in Nigeria. It is concluded that the employment generation of small-scale enterprises considerably enhanced poverty alleviation in Rivers State. The study recommends that policymakers and governments and their agencies provide the technical, technological, financial, managerial assistance, and infrastructure needed for the optimal use of the enormous employment creation opportunities in the small-scale businesses in Rivers State and Nigeria at large.

Multidimensional poverty in the Colombian pacific: identification, measurement and recent trends

The Pacific is the region of Colombia with the greatest economic lag and the lowest living standards of its population. The objective of this study is to investigate poverty in the Colombian Pacific, taking as a reference the multidimensional approach, applying different identification methodologies and aggregation indicators. The main result is that despite the reduction in poverty between 2010 and 2018, it has not been systematic and has presented much more moderate levels than the situation in the rest of the country; in particular, the region has great deficiencies in education levels and access to health.

ANALYSIS OF THE MAIN TOURISM PUBLIC POLICIES IN MOZAMBIQUE

The main aim of this research is to identify the main tourism public policies in Mozambique and to reflect on their role and applicability in reducing poverty in vulnerable communities, essentially to understand how they are implemented and what their level of applicability is. Methodologically, bibliographical and documentary research was applied; this is qualitative research and for data analysis we opted for content analysis to encompass the content presented in the various sources that represent tourism public policies and their role in alleviating poverty and promoting development. The main public policies analyzed were the Tourism Law, Tourism Policy and the Strategic Plan for Tourism Development (1st and 2nd). Regarding the policies consulted, it can be said that Mozambique has good public policies and the main ones adopt tourism as a factor in alleviating poverty and promoting development, but there is little empirical evidence that these objectives are being implemented on a large scale and effectively, as the participatory process and involvement of local communities in their design and implementation leaves something to be desired. There are also questions about the quality of jobs in the sector and their sustainability, given that they are very seasonal and often not legally linked to their employers. keywords: Tourism Public Policies; Poverty Alleviating and Development Promotion; Local Community