Document Type

Conference Paper

Publication Date

1992

First Page

1

Last Page

12

Keywords

Structural adjustment, Poverty, Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract / Description

Since the beginning of the adjustment programs in the 1980s a question that has been persistently and passionately discussed is whether these programs have hurt the poor or not. In absence of any clear empirical facts the discussion has been dominated more by assertions, partial and selective use of data and heated arguments. There are a host of conceptual, statistical and analytical issues in this debate that remain unsettled. For example, the measurability of individual welfare and the ability to make interpersonal welfare comparisons are deep rooted problems that still elude us. The incidence of benefits, and its calculation across income groups is fraught with serious drawbacks. The household survey data for African countries is beginning to emerge only in last few years. Despite these limitations, this paper takes advantage of some recently published and unpublished country case studies and cross-sectional work to shed some light on the issue of adjustment and its impact on the poor.

Comments

IH0237

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