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on Development |
| By: | Carolina Diaz-Bonilla; Carlos Sabatino; Danielle Victoria Aron; Cameron Haddad; Minh C. Nguyen; Haoyu Wu |
| Abstract: | This note presents the 8th edition of the World Bank’s Multidimensional Poverty Measure (MPM) database, drawing on the latest country data from the Global Monitoring Database (GMD) as of October 2024. The MPM offers a broader view of poverty by examining deprivations along three dimensions of well-being: monetary poverty (measured using the international poverty line at $2.15 per person per day in 2017 PPP), education, and access to basic infrastructure services. This latest edition covers 110 economies for circa 2021, a decrease from the 127 economies for circa 2018 in the previous edition due to the limited availability of more recent survey data. The latest global MPM headcount is 13.4 percent, a slight reduction from the 14.4 reported in the prior edition. However, this reduction should be interpreted with caution, as the 13.4 percent estimate is based on more limited recent data and the sample of countries has changed. |
| Date: | 2024–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbgpmt:42 |
| By: | Sharma, Kriti; Kumar, Anjani; Kumar, Nalini Ranjan |
| Abstract: | Potato remains a crucial crop for achieving India’s food security goals and generating income for small-scale farmers. But India, the largest potato producer after China, remains behind many of its peers in attaining high yield. A low varietal replacement rate could be one of the major reasons for low yield in India. This critical issue warrants investigation, yet empirical results remain limited in the Indian context. Drawing on data from a comprehensive field survey of 892 potato growing farmers conducted in 2018–19 across five major potato-producing states in India, we find the determinants of the average area-weighted age of potato varieties used, and their impact on potato yield. The instrumental variable regression analysis establishes a negative association between varietal age and yield of potato. It also underscores the importance of access to weather forecast and linkages with agricultural organizations to achieve higher yield. Furthermore, it shows that household size, links to political party, and information about new seeds from friends, progressive farmers and input dealers are associated with lower varietal age. These insights will be instrumental for policymakers and potato breeders in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and boosting food security in India amidst the impending demographic challenges. |
| Keywords: | crop yield; food security; policy innovation; potato harvesters; regression analysis; Asia; Southern Asia; India |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprid:2280 |
| By: | Ahmed, Akhter U.; Bakhtiar, M. Mehrab; Hoddinott, John; Roy, Shalini |
| Abstract: | Evidence shows that cash and in-kind transfer programs increase food security while interventions are ongoing, including during or immediately after shocks. But less is known about whether receipt of these programs can have protective effects for household food security against shocks that occur several years after interventions end. We study the effects of a transfer program implemented as a cluster-randomized control trial in rural Bangladesh from 2012-2014 – the Transfer Modality Research Initiative (TMRI) – on food security in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. We assess TMRI’s impacts at three post-program time points: before the shock (2018), amidst the shock (2021), and after the immediate effects of the shock (2022). We find that TMRI showed protective effects on household food security during and after the pandemic, but program design features “mattered†; positive impacts were only seen in the treatment arm that combined cash transfers with nutrition behavior change communication (Cash+BCC). Other treatment arms – cash only, and food only – showed no significant sustained effects on our household food security measures after the intervention ended, nor did they show protective effects during the pandemic. A plausible mechanism is that investments made by Cash+BCC households in productive assets – specifically livestock – increased their pre-shock resilience capacity. |
| Keywords: | COVID-19; resilience; shock; social protection; Asia; Southern Asia; Bangladesh |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprid:2282 |
| By: | Banerjee, Archis; Kumar, Neha; Quisumbing, Agnes R. |
| Abstract: | There is growing evidence that gender disparities in the distribution of paid and unpaid work impose constraints on women’s well-being and livelihoods, reducing access to paid employment, and time for education, leisure, and social activities. Yet, gender disparities in unpaid work often go undiagnosed by traditional household surveys. While time-use surveys are well-suited for measuring unpaid work, they are often expensive to administer and take substantial amounts of survey time, leading to respondent fatigue, particularly in multi-topic surveys where other outcomes are also being collected. In this paper, we compare data collected using the task allocation module in the Transforming Agrifood Systems in South Asia (TAFSSA) integrated household survey and the time-use module in the Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI) survey. We begin by describing the methods used to collect the data in each of the surveys. We present an overview of the characteristics of the study sites in the TAFSSA integrated survey and sites in the same countries where the WEAI data were collected. We then present comparable data from each of the two methods. The findings confirm the gendered patterns in involvement in different activities as measured by both survey modules. While women’s participation in agricultural activities is high across Bangladesh, India, and Nepal, the amount of time they spend on agricultural activities is less than that spent by men. Both survey tools confirm that women undertake most of the food preparation-related activities, and men contribute through shopping/purchasing food. |
| Keywords: | time use patterns; households; gender; unpaid work; women's empowerment; surveys; gender norms; Bangladesh; India; Nepal; Southern Asia; Asia |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprid:2277 |
| By: | Kreitmeir, David Hajo (Monash University) |
| Abstract: | Over the past two decades, violence against land and environmental activists has been on the rise, besetting even stable democracies. Using a unique, fine-grained data set on social conflict events in Peru and exogenous variation in world mineral prices, I document a strong link between local mineral rents and violent state repression of socioenvironmental protests in a democratic institutional setting. I show that the increase in the use of excessive force cannot be explained by changes in protester behavior. Empirical findings highlight the role of local authorities: the election of a pro-mining mayor is associated with a higher prevalence of state repression and corruption in the constituency. The legal and democratic accountability of local authorities is, however, found to be limited. The reported increase in corruption does not translate into more investigations against pro-mining mayors for corruption offenses nor are reelection results of incumbents found to be negatively affected by state violence against protesters. Finally, I show that violent state repression is successful in forestalling conflict resolution agreements that acknowledge protesters’ demands. |
| Date: | 2024–10–19 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:socarx:e7avt |
| By: | Peñaloza-Pacheco, Leonardo; Triantafyllou, Vaios; Martínez, Gonzalo |
| Abstract: | In this paper, we analyze the local environmental and economic impacts of lithium extraction in the Atacama Salt Flat (ASF) inChile. We use satellite data to estimate the effects on vegetation at a resolution of 30m × 30m as well as on the local human populations at a resolution of 100m × 100m near the ASF. We compare changes over time in NDVI and human settlements and show how they are affected by exposure to lithium extraction. Our estimates suggest that an increase of 1 standard deviation in our measure of exposure to lithium extraction reduced vegetation in nearby areas by 0.09 standard deviations, and specifically inhuman settlements by 0.22 standard deviations. Also, human populations in the local villages were reduced by 0.04 standard deviations for 1 standard deviation closer to the ASF. Further, we show that the negative effect on NDVI was greater for thoselocations with higher levels of vegetation at baseline. |
| Keywords: | Ambiente, Cambio climático, Desarrollo, Evaluación de impacto, Recursos naturales, |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dbl:dblwop:2173 |
| By: | Pañeda-Fernández, Irene; Meierrieks, Daniel |
| Abstract: | How do climate disasters shape migration? The existing evidence presents conflicting and inconclusive findings. To address this question, we theorize the cognitive processes guiding migration decisions in the wake of disasters. On the one hand, the link between climate disasters and migration aspirations may be driven by sudden-onset (e.g. heavy rains, storms and landslides) rather than gradual-onset events (e.g. droughts) because the devastating effect of the former may be easier to perceive. On the other hand, gradual climate disasters may be more influential because they can be perceived as more irreversible given their protracted nature. To test our hypotheses, we analyze original survey data from a representative sample of 5, 700 individuals in Senegal and the Gambia. We show that individual exposure to past climate disasters predicts higher migration aspirations, a result robust to controlling for objective past climate conditions. On closer inspection, we show that only individuals with experience with gradual-onset events report higher migration aspirations, while experience with sudden-onset events has no comparable effect. Consistent with our regression analysis, results from an embedded survey experiment show that informational cues about future climate stress only impact the migration aspirations of individuals which have experienced gradual-onset weather events in the past. |
| Abstract: | Wie wirken sich Klimakatastrophen auf die Migration aus? Die bereits vorliegende Evidenz ist widersprüchlich und nicht schlüssig. Um diese Frage zu klären, stellen wir daher zunächst eine Theorie zu den kognitiven Prozessen auf, die Migrationsentscheidungen in Folge von Klimakatastrophen steuern. Einerseits könnte der Zusammenhang zwischen Klimakatastrophen und Migrationsbestrebungen eher durch plötzlich auftretende Ereignisse (z. B. schwere Regenfälle, Stürme und Erdrutsche) als durch allmählich eintretende Ereignisse (z. B. Dürren) hervorgerufen werden, da die verheerenden Auswirkungen der ersteren möglicherweise leichter wahrgenommen werden können. Andererseits könnten allmählich eintretende Klimakatastrophen einflussreicher sein, da sie aufgrund ihrer Langwierigkeit als unumkehrbar wahrgenommen werden. Um unsere Hypothesen zu überprüfen, analysieren wir eigens erhobene Daten einer repräsentativen Stichprobe von 5.700 Personen in Senegal und Gambia. Wir zeigen, dass die individuelle Exposition gegenüber vergangenen Klimakatastrophen höhere Migrationswünsche in der Gegenwart vorhersagt - ein Ergebnis, das auch bei Berücksichtigung objektiver vergangener Klimabedingungen robust ist. Bei näherer Betrachtung zeigt sich, dass nur Personen mit Erfahrungen mit allmählich eintretenden Klimaereignissen (insbesondere Dürren) höhere Migrationswünsche äußern, während Erfahrungen mit plötzlich eintretenden Klimaereignissen (z.B. Starkregen) keinen vergleichbaren Effekt haben. In Übereinstimmung mit unserer Regressionsanalyse zeigen die Ergebnisse eines Umfrageexperiments, dass Informationszeichen über zukünftigen Klimastress nur die Migrationswünsche von Personen beeinflussen, die bereits in der Vergangenheit Erfahrungen mit allmählich eintretenden Wetterereignissen gemacht haben. |
| Keywords: | migration, climate disasters, climate change, gradual events, sudden events, migration aspirations, Migration, Klimakatastrophen, Klimawandel, allmähliche Ereignisse, plötzliche Ereignisse, Migrationsbestrebungen |
| JEL: | F22 Q54 |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:wzbmit:305254 |
| By: | Bhowmick, Kanishka (University of California, Davis); Dasgupta, Indraneel (Indian Statistical Institute); Pal, Sarmistha (University of Surrey) |
| Abstract: | We examine how within-group inequality, by influencing the group bias of state institutions, affects the cost-benefit calculus of individuals engaging in identity-assertive behaviour, that results in police complaints regarding hate crimes. We develop a two-stage contest model of between-group conflict, where the relative influence of a group over institutions, determined by an initial contest, affects subsequent hierarchy-establishing interaction between individuals belonging to opposing groups. Applying this model to caste conflict in India, we find that greater inequality among non-Scheduled Caste (non-SC) Hindus reduces the registered rate of crimes against SCs by non-SC Hindus, as well as the conviction rate for these crimes. Greater inequality among SCs increases both rates. Using state-level annual crime and household consumption data over 2005-2021, we find empirical support for these hypotheses. Between-group inequality does not appear to matter for either the rate of crimes against SCs or the conviction rate. Our analysis suggests that greater inequality within marginalized groups might increase reporting and punishment of aggression against them, thereby serving a protective function. |
| Keywords: | discrimination, social hierarchy, caste conflict, hate crimes, India |
| JEL: | D72 D74 J71 J78 Z13 |
| Date: | 2024–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17383 |
| By: | Benjamin Chipperfield (Economics, Monash University); Paulo Santos (Economics, Monash University); Carly Cook (Biological Sciences, Monash University) |
| Abstract: | Reducing the impact of large-scale biodiversity loss on ecosystem functioning and human wellbeing requires understanding which aspects of biodiversity are central to the ecosystem services on which humans rely. Despite this need, the impact of biodiversity on fishing yield in freshwater systems is not well understood. Using detailed data on fish catch and estimates of fish functional diversity in the Mekong River Basin, we build on the ecological notion of the river continuum concept (that links biological diversity with the natural variation in the physical environment along a river) to show that higher levels of diversity lead to economically significant increases in freshwater fish yield. We also show that local fisheries are vulnerable to the extinction of a small number of key species which, if lost, could compromise the productivity of local fisheries. Our analysis suggests that achieving win-win solutions that link biodiversity protection with improvements in economic outcomes in freshwater fisheries may require well targeted conservation efforts. |
| Keywords: | freshwater fisheries, biodiversity, functional richness, river continuum theory, community composition |
| JEL: | Q22 Q57 |
| Date: | 2024–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mos:moswps:2024-18 |
| By: | Shubhangi Agrawal (University of Edinburgh); Sambit Bhattacharyya (University of Sussex Business School); Chirantan Chatterjee (University of Sussex Business School); Somdeep Chatterjee (Indian Institute of Management Calcutta) |
| Abstract: | Conventional wisdom states that healthcare is a luxury good. Spending on healthcare is expected torise disproportionately with rising income. However, India appears to be a clear outlier with its aggregate national healthcare spending falling during rapid economic expansion. We explore this curious anomaly by estimating the causal effect of income on healthcare expenditure using large longitudinal household and patient level administrative datasets covering the period 2016-2020. An unanticipated shock in the form of a reduction in mandated employees’ provident fund contribution for women is used to identify the causal effect in female led households. We find that an unanticipated income shock is associated with a decrease in overall spending on healthcare in female led households even after controlling for improved health outcomes for women, health-status, healthcare uti-lization at the intensive margin (i.e., hospital visits to seek treatment). Our results suggest that healthcare spending by females in India and the global South is guided by dynamic preferences and social norms. |
| Keywords: | Income, Health Spending |
| Date: | 2024–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sus:susewp:1324 |
| By: | Estrada, Ricardo; Goyheix, Daniela; Lombardi, María |
| Abstract: | When sampled individuals are not found at home, many surveys rely on a proxy respondent: another knowledgeable household member. We study the difference between self- and proxy-reported labor income in Mexico. We use the panel structure of the Mexican labor force survey and compare workers' income when they report it themselves to their income when another household member does the reporting. We find that the monthly wage of male workers is 6.1% lower when reported by a proxy. For female workers, the reporting gap is minute. We provide evidence that the gap in the reported income of male workers is due to asymmetry of information within the household, in part due to men hiding income from their relatives. Finally, we study the implications of using proxy respondents and find that it can lead to an underestimation of the gender wage gap by 60%. |
| Keywords: | Economía, |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dbl:dblwop:2278 |