Getting ahead or left behind? Essays on poverty dynamics and social mobility in Africa
Eleni Yitbarek, UNU-MERIT
The increased recognition of the persistent nature of poverty has rekindled long-standing debates of who is getting ahead, who is left behind, who is standing still, and why, among development economists and policy makers alike. This dissertation is a collection of three essays and seeks to contribute to the aforementioned debate. It provides new empirical insights on poverty dynamics and social mobility in selected sub-Saharan African countries using a range of empirical approaches. The dissertation conclude that informal safety nets in the form of support from friends/ family or being a member of a voluntary social association is not suffices to exit subjective or consumption poverty. On the other hand, education plays a vital role to reduce both.
Venue: Room 1.169, Minderbroedersberg 4-6, Maastricht
Date: 13 December 2016
Time: 15:45 - 17:15 CET