Over the course of 2023, I reviewed, curated, and summarized 722 materials on social protection. While there have been plenty of insightful papers published, here are 25 suggested readings for the upcoming break organized around 10 thematic areas.
Design
- Banerjee et al. review the literature on key design choices, including on hot-topics like targeting, conditionality, and “lump sum” schemes.
- Lowe et al. offer a rich collection of examples about applying technology across social protection delivery chains.
Mortality
- Richterman et al. find that cash transfers yield significant reductions in mortality. The largest effects were among women and young children (0-5 years).
- A study by Cavalcanti et al. on Brazil, Ecuador, and Mexico over 20 years shows that conditional cash transfers (CCTs) reduced children mortality by 24%. That is, CCTs prevented about 740,000 deaths (forecasts suggest that expanding CCTs could save more than 150,000 lives by 2030).
Cognitive and mental health
- Weissman et al. document that in the United States, children receiving larger cash benefits have their brain’s hippocampal volumes 60 mm3larger than those of low-income beneficiaries receiving lower cash benefits.
- A review by Wollburg et al. found that cash transfers help improve depression and anxiety disorders, but effects are small and dissipate after program completion.
Gender
- Gazeaud et al. evaluated a program providing women with a cash grant and financial training: only women that attended the training alone increased their income. (Women joined by male partners earned less and worked fewer hours.)
- Gavrilovic et al. offer a range of entry points for transitioning from “gender-sensitive” social protection to addressing structural barriers to gender equality.
Jobs
- Bhorat et al. show that South Africa’s COVID-19 SRD grant increased the probability of being employed between 2.9 and 3.5 percentage points.
- Morgandi et al. tracked the participation of about 105,000 Bolsa Familia households in Brazil over 2012-2019 and show that the objectives of providing income support may coexist with those of labor market (re)entry.
Economy
- Gassmann et al. have a systematic reviews of multiplier effects of cash transfers showing that for every dollar injected as cash, up to $2.49 is generated in the economy (average is about $1.3).
- Banerjee et al. unveiled the initial results of the long-term universal basic income experiment in Kenya and found it stimulated demand, local supply chains and entrepreneurship.
Political economy
- Roy explains the adoption of India’s National Rural Employment Guarantee Act was the result of political competition to get votes of low-income populations.
- Araujo shows that in the Marica municipality of Brazil, cash transfers increase participation in elections (or voter turnout) by 4%.
Social contracts
- Ibrahim documents that in Ghana, before the LEAP cash transfers beneficiaries’ interactions with the state were rare, and that the program eventually created more contact with and increased perceived legitimacy of the state.
- Hemsteede argues that in Malawi, development partners’ commitment to cash transfers is not matched by an equal prioritization of cash by key policymakers.
Crises
- Sandford et al illustrate that Sierra Leone’s initial 2020 pandemic response was based on some simple “triggers” that quickly activated payments for informal urban sector workers.
- CALP estimates that the provision of cash-based transfers in humanitarian assistance is now at 20% of total aid, but it almost completely bypasses local governments.
And before you go, here is an overview of social protection in regions around world:
- Ridao-Cano et al. reimagine social protection systems in the Middle East and North Africa.
- A report edited by Johnson and Walker examines the adaptiveness social protection in South Asia.
- Rossi and Villanueva have an edited a volume on social protection in East Asia and the Pacific.
- Stampini et al. review the state of programs in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Gasior et al. codify Europe’s COVID-19 social protection response.
- Seekings et al. explain wide variations in social protection adoption and implementation in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- And a report by Kreidler et al. lays out options for connecting social protection and humanitarian assistance in the Sahel.
Phew… what a year!
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