Sri Lanka : Poverty Assessment

World Bank

Sri Lanka : Poverty Assessment

Autores

World Bank

Editor

Washington, DC

Descripción

This Poverty Assessment report reviews the evolution, and nature of poverty in Sri Lanka, by examining why its significant, recent economic downturn contrasts sharply with its considerable, economic advances during the 1960s; why poverty fell rapidly, and to a relatively, low level in some areas, though it remained high in other parts of the country; and, whether the large resources given to re-distributive programs, really helped reduce poverty. In response, Sri Lanka's hesitant attitude towards progressive economic, and social policies is seemingly the answer, for these policies would have removed the regulations that hinder effective markets, and the private sector, and, would have provided needed infrastructure, and social services, accommodating diversity within its social policies, through resources, and opportunities for the poorest. Notwithstanding gradual, economic liberalization, the economy is still more protected than in countries which started liberalization much later. The regulatory environment - particularly restrictions on labor, and land markets - and weak competitive financial markets, make the investment climate less friendly than that of competitors in the East. Regarding the role of the state in the economy, still large shares in the banking system, insurance industry, power, and water utilities, among others, are government owned. In terms of social policies, the country has a long tradition of protecting acquired rights, and encouraging patronage, rather than stimulating market-based creation of opportunities. The report stipulates the need for creating a policy environment that facilitates poverty reduction, through a strong fiscal policy, deregulation and privatization, agricultural growth policies, and labor market flexibility, based on public services that reach the poor, i.e., improved quality of education, effective social safety nets, and transparent public administration.

Palabras clave

POVERTY MITIGATION, POVERTY ASSESSMENTS, ECONOMIC CONSTRAINTS, POVERTY INCIDENCE, SOCIAL PROGRAMS, ECONOMIC POLICY & PLANNING, SOCIAL POLICY, REGULATORY FRAMEWORK, MARKET FORCES, ECONOMIC LIBERALIZATION, STATE-OWNED BANKS, STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES, MARKET ECONOMY, POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGIES, FISCAL POLICY, DEREGULATION, PRIVATIZATION, AGRICULTURAL POLICIES, LABOR MARKET NEXUS, PUBLIC SERVICES, TARGETED ASSISTANCE, QUALITY OF EDUCATION, SOCIAL SAFETY NETS, PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ABSOLUTE POVERTY, ANALYTICAL WORK, ANNUAL REPORT, AVERAGE CONSUMPTION, BUDGET PROCESS, BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT, CHILD LABOR, CHRONICALLY POOR, CIVIL CONFLICT, CIVIL SOCIETY, CLIMATE, COMMODITIES, CONSULTATION PROCESS, CONSUMPTION INEQUALITY, CREDIT SCHEME, CROWDING, CROWDING OUT, DATA SOURCES, DEREGULATION, DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, DEVELOPMENT GOALS, DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS, DISCRIMINATION, DONOR COMMUNITY, DRINKING WATER, ECONOMIC GROWTH, ECONOMIC INCENTIVES, ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT, ECONOMISTS, ENERGY CONSUMPTION, ESCAPE POVERTY, ETHNIC DIVERSITY, ETHNIC GROUPS, ETHNIC MINORITIES, EXPENDITURE SURVEY, FAMILIES, FARMS, FINANCIAL MARKETS, FINANCIAL SECTOR, FOOD STAMPS, FOOD SUBSIDIES, GNP, GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT, HEALTH CARE, HEALTH INDICATORS, HEALTH OUTCOMES, HEALTH SERVICES, HEALTH SURVEY, HOUSEHOLD HEAD, HOUSEHOLD INCOME, HUMAN CAPITAL, IMPORTS, INCOME LEVELS, INCOME SUPPORT, INFLATION, INFORMAL SAFETY, INFORMAL SAFETY NETS, INSURANCE, INSURANCE COMPANIES, INTEREST RATES, INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, ISOLATION, LABOR FORCE, LABOR MARKET, LAWS, LIVING STANDARDS, LONG- TERM DEVELOPMENT, MARKET ECONOMY, MARKETING, MEANS TESTING, MEASURING INCOME, NATIONAL POVERTY, NATIONAL POVERTY LINE, NATIONAL POVERTY LINES, NATURAL RESOURCES, NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, NUTRITION, NUTRITIONAL STATUS, PARENTS, PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION, POLICY ENVIRONMENT, POLICY FRAMEWORK, POLICY STATEMENT, POOR COMMUNITIES, POOR HOUSEHOLDS, POVERTY ASSESSMENT, POVERTY LINES, POVERTY PROGRAMS, POVERTY REDUCTION, POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGY, POVERTY STRATEGY, POVERTY TRENDS, PRESENT VALUE, PRIMARY EDUCATION, PRIVATE SECTOR, PRIVATE TRANSFERS, PRODUCTIVE ASSETS, PRODUCTIVITY, PROPERTY RIGHTS, PUBLIC BUDGET, PUBLIC EXPENDITURES, PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, PUBLIC POLICIES, PUBLIC POLICY, PUBLIC RESOURCES, PUBLIC SECTOR, PUBLIC SERVICES, PUBLIC TRANSFERS, PURCHASING POWER, PURCHASING POWER PARITY, QUALITY OF LIFE, REAL WAGES, REDUCING POVERTY, REFUGEES, REGIONAL DISPARITIES, REGULATORY FRAMEWORK, RESEARCH COMMUNITY, RURAL AREAS, RURAL ECONOMY, RURAL POOR, SAFETY NET, SAFETY NET PROGRAMS, SAFETY NETS, SCHOOLS, SECTOR EMPLOYMENT, SERVICE DELIVERY, SOCIAL EXPENDITURES, SOCIAL INDICATORS, SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, SOCIAL POLICIES, SOCIAL PROTECTION, SOCIAL SERVICES, STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES, STRUCTURAL REFORM, TACKLING POVERTY, TARGETING, TRANSFER PROGRAMS, UNEMPLOYMENT, URBAN AREAS, URBAN POPULATION, VIOLENCE, VULNERABLE PEOPLE, WAGE DIFFERENTIALS, WAR, WELFARE INDICATORS, WIDOWS, WORKERS