期刊名称：Discussion Papers / Ibero America Institute for Economic Research (IAI)
出版年度：2008
卷号：2008
出版社：Ibero America Institute for Economic Research
摘要：In this paper we examine the mathematical relationship between growth and
distributional change on absolute (i.e. percentage point) changes in FGT poverty
measures assuming a log-normal income distribution, which we argue to be a
conceptually superior and more policy-relevant measure than the much used
’regular’ growth elasticity of poverty reduction. We also test the empirical
relationship of these semi-elasticities of growth and distributional change on
poverty and find them to explain actual changes in poverty very well (in fact,
much better than a related study by Bourguignon (2003) that studied the growth
elasticity of poverty reduction). This is particularly the case when poverty
depth and severity is considered. Using our results helps in interpreting past
performance in poverty reduction and will allow a rapid and quite reliable
prediction of the impact of growth and distributional change on (absolute)
poverty reduction across countries, taking heterogeneity in country
circumstances into account.
关键词：Poverty reduction, growth elasticity, growth semi-elasticity, income
distribution
