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Devereux, Stephen, Masset, E., Sabates-Wheeler, Rachel, Samson, M., Rivas, Althea-Maria and te Lintelo, D. (2017) 'The targeting effectiveness of social transfers.' Journal of Development Effectiveness, 9 (2). pp. 162-211.

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Abstract

Many methodologies exist for dividing a population into those who are classified as eligible for social transfers and those who are ineligible. Popular targeting mechanisms include means tests, proxy means tests, categorical, geographic, community-based and self-selection. This paper reviews empirical evidence from a range of social protection programmes on the accuracy of these mechanisms, in terms of minimising four targeting errors: inclusion and exclusion, by eligibility and by poverty. This paper also reviews available evidence on the various costs associated with targeting, not only administrative but also private, social, psycho-social, incentive-based and political costs. Comparisons are difficult, but all mechanisms generate targeting errors and costs. Given the inevitability of trade-offs, there is no ‘best’ mechanism for targeting social transfers. The key determinant of relative accuracy and cost-effectiveness in each case is how well the targeting mechanism is designed and implemented.

Item Type: Journal Article
SOAS Departments & Centres: Departments and Subunits > Department of Development Studies
Departments and Subunits
ISSN: 19439342
Copyright Statement: © 2018 Taylor and Francis. This is the version of the article accepted for publication in Journal of Development Effectiveness published by Taylor and Francis https://doi.org/10.1080/19439342.2017.1305981 Accepted version downloaded from SOAS Research Online: http://eprints.soas.ac.uk/31956
DOI (Digital Object Identifier): https://doi.org/10.1080/19439342.2017.1305981
Date Deposited: 13 Jan 2021 15:36
URI: https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/id/eprint/31956
Related URLs: https://www.tan ... rnalCode=rjde20 (Publisher URL)

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