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Social Science > Poverty and Homelessness

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Cover Selected Issues Papers
Options to Strengthen the Social Safety Net in Japan: Japan
Zhiyong An
and
Kohei Asao
Japan’s unemployment rate remains relatively low compared to other OECD countries. However, Japan’s poverty rate among the working-age population is one of the higher ones among OECD countries. The public assistance program in Japan does not provide adequate income support for the working poor and creates inherent work disincentives. In this context, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) warrants consideration to strengthen the social safety net and relieve poverty of the working poor in Japan. This paper provides an overview of the theoretical and practical issues of EITC, aiming to support its potential introduction in Japan.
Keywords:
Social safety net; working poor; inequality; public assistance; in-work benefits; Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC); Japan; program in Japan; public assistance program; Japan's poverty rate; Japan's unemployment rate; EITC program; Income; Wages; Employment; Social assistance spending; Income tax systems
Cover Equitable and Sustainable Pensions
Equitable and Sustainable Pensions
Challenges and Experience
Mr. Benedict J. Clements
,
Frank Eich
, and
Mr. Sanjeev Gupta

Abstract

Pension reform is high on the agenda of many advanced and emerging market economies, for many reasons. First, public pensions often constitute a large share of government expenditure. Second, population aging means that reforms would be needed just to keep pension spending from rising in the future. Third, in many economies, low or falling pension coverage will leave large segments of the population without adequate income in old age and at risk of falling into poverty. Although a number of studies have assessed the effects of pension reforms on fiscal sustainability, a systematic analysis of equity issues in pension systems—and how countries have grappled with these issues—has yet to be undertaken. This book brings together the latest research on equity issues related to pension systems and pension reforms in the post-crisis world. Some of the key issues covered include: the effect of pension systems on intergenerational equity and the impact of pension reforms on poverty, the effects of pension reform measures on fiscal sustainability and equity, and the fiscal consequences of achieving different equity goals. It also presents country case studies. The volume provides a rich menu of material to assist policymakers and academic audiences seeking to understand the latest research in this area, as well as the lessons and challenges for the design of reforms.

Keywords:
BOOK; pension; retirement age; government; country; income; pension system; replacement rate; contribution rate; old-age pension; Pension spending; Pensions; Aging; Retirement; Pension reform; East Asia; Eastern Europe; Asia and Pacific; Global; Europe; eligibility age
Cover Finance & Development
Finance & Development, December 2012
International Monetary Fund
By combating malaria with mosquito nets or building schools and providing basic sanitation, philanthropy is helping transform the developing world. Rich donors are devoting fortunes—many of them earned through computer software, entertainment, and venture capitalism— to defeating poverty and improving lives, supplementing and in some cases surpassing official aid channels.From billionaires Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett to Aliko Dangote and George Soros, the titans of capitalism are backing good causes with their cash. Whether financing new vaccines, building libraries, or buying up Amazon rain forest to protect the environment, philanthropists are supporting innovations and new approaches that are changing lives and building dreams.This issue of F&D looks at the world of targeted giving and social entrepreneurship.“ Philanthropy’s role is to get things started,” says Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who is the world’s most generous giver. “We used foundation funds to set up a system to make market forces work in favor of the poor.” He says that catalytic philanthropy can make a big difference. “Good ideas need evangelists. Forgotten communities need advocates.” Former U.S. President Bill Clinton tells us that networks of creative cooperation between government, business, and civil society can get things done better to solve the world’s most pressing problems.Also in this issue, Prakash Loungani profiles superstar economist Jeffrey Sachs, who helped campaign for debt relief for developing economies and championed the Millennium Development Goals. We look at how, instead of spending commodity price windfalls on physical investments, which are often sources of corruption, governments of poor countries are sometimes well advised to hand some of the income over to their citizens. We examine moves by major central banks to ease our way out of the crisis enveloping advanced economies in our Data Spotlight column, and we hear about how China’s growth inspires creativity in the West.
Keywords:
FD; F&D; price; economy; income; High school graduate; BOE's balance sheet; investment firm; BOE's purchase; High school education; data spotlight; catalytic philanthropy; absolute poverty poverty line; Income inequality; Inflation; Self-employment; Public investment spending; Global; Europe; Western Europe; Africa; Middle East
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
The Gambia: Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper—Progress Report
International Monetary Fund
The Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) describes The Gambia’s macroeconomic, structural, and social policies in support of growth and poverty reduction, external financing needs, and major sources of financing. Since PRSP I had experienced some setbacks during its implementation, PRSP II has been formulated with revised strategies to achieve Vision 2020 and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of reducing poverty globally. Based on a detailed analysis, the authorities provided some specific recommendations for the long-term sustainability of the program in terms of priorities and operational modalities.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; private sector; civil society; PRSP II; cultivated area; feasibility study; E system; trade policy; liberalization effort; country PRSP M&E framework; Enhance governance system; desk review; PRSP process; PRSP priority; PRSP program; Agroindustries; Poverty reduction; Global; West Africa
Cover IMF Working Papers
Global Relative Poverty
Lynge Nielsen
The paper provides estimates of global relative poverty trends from 1970 onwards. Relative poverty is shown to have decreased significantly, but at the same time there has been a worsening poverty outcome among up to one billion of the world's poorest citizens. The paper also proposes a straightforward method for dividing an income distribution into classes of poor, rich, and middle-class.
Keywords:
WP; mean income; income; poverty line; per capita income; Relative poverty; global income inequality; poverty gap; transfer principle; income dispersion; income span; poverty analysis; day poverty line; Personal income; Income distribution; Income inequality; Global
Cover IMF Research Bulletin
IMF Research Bulletin, December 2004
International Monetary Fund. Research Dept.
The IMF Research Bulletin, a quarterly publication, selectively summarizes research and analytical work done by various departments at the IMF, and also provides a listing of research documents and other research-related activities, including conferences and seminars. The Bulletin is intended to serve as a summary guide to research done at the IMF on various topics, and to provide a better perspective on the analytical underpinnings of the IMF’s operational work.
Keywords:
IRB; IMF Deputy managing director; country; IMF Jacques Polak Annual Research Conference; inflation expectation; net-importing country; IMF headquarters; Poverty reduction; Poverty reduction strategy; Income inequality; Sub-Saharan Africa; Global; Africa; Western Europe; Europe
Cover IMF Survey
IMF Survey, Volume 31, Issue 01
International Monetary Fund. External Relations Dept.
The Web edition of the IMF Survey is updated several times a week, and contains a wealth of articles about topical policy and economic issues in the news. Access the latest IMF research, read interviews, and listen to podcasts given by top IMF economists on important issues in the global economy. www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/survey/so/home.aspx
Keywords:
SV; background color; IMF Treasurer's Department; IMF Concludes; IMF arrangement; IMF survey; fund Facility; growth facility; Poverty reduction strategy; Poverty reduction; SDR interest rate; Balance of payments need; Global; Europe; Asia and Pacific; Eastern Europe; Central Asia
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
India: Recent Economic Developments and Selected Issues
International Monetary Fund
India rebounded strongly from its 1991 balance-of-payments crisis, aided by structural reforms and other policy adjustments. The government has sought to reinvigorate the process of structural and fiscal reform. The paper examines trends in interstate differences in rural poverty; reviews India's postal saving system and possible reform issues; describes and evaluates the current system of pensions and provident funds, and discusses reform options. The paper also briefly reviews the structure of and recent developments in the Indian foreign exchange market.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; India; GDP; exchange rate; deposit; U.S. dollar; dollar rate; chapter IX; private sector; reform issue; Commercial banks; Pensions; Public sector; Global; Africa; Asia and Pacific; Western Europe
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Pakistan: Selected Issues and Statistical Appendix
International Monetary Fund
This Selected Issues paper analyzes Pakistan's tax reform and revenue performance. The paper assesses the nature and magnitude of Pakistan's actual twin debt problem in a historical context, and reviews the policy options. The study highlights the factors explaining the recent stagnation in merchandise exports, and analyzes the country's export performance with regard to the linkages between performance and the structure of exports. The paper reviews a survey of poverty in Pakistan, and also provides a statistical appendix report of the country.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; Pakistan; tax; revenue; interest rate; bearer certificate; export performance; Pakistan rupee; expenditure level; income poverty line; Income and capital gains taxes; Exports; South Asia; Middle East; Baltics; Eastern Europe; East Asia; Western Hemisphere; Global
Cover Perspectivas de la economía mundial, mayo de 2000
Perspectivas de la economía mundial, mayo de 2000
Los precios de los activos y el ciclo económico
International Monetary Fund. Research Dept.

Abstract

El informe sobre las Perspectivas de la economía mundial, publicado dos veces al año en inglés, francés, español y árabe, presenta análisis realizados por economistas del cuerpo técnico del FMI sobre la evolución económica mundial a corto y mediano plazo. En los capítulos se presenta un panorama de la economía mundial; se consideran cuestiones que afectan a los países industriales, los países en desarrollo y las economías en transición hacia un sistema de mercado, y se abordan temas relevantes para la situación actual. Anexos, recuadros, gráficos y un extenso apéndice estadístico complementan el texto.

Keywords:
WEO; U.S. dollar; monetary policy; asset price; exchange rate; per capita income