Proxy Means Test (PMT) and the Household Economy Analysis (HEA) are widely used methods to target chronically poor households and those suffering from food crises respectively. Using panel data from Niger, this study provides the first empirical evidence on the relative efficiency of these...

In 27 out of 34 OECD member countries, there is institutionally separate retirement-income provision for some or all public-sector workers. But the scope of these pension schemes varies significantly: from a modest top-up to the national pension arrangements (covering private-sector workers as...

The paper summarizes key design characteristics and performance indicators of national and civil service pension schemes in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It is intended to serve as a resource in pension reform efforts in the region. The note delivers an up-to date assessment of the main design...

Many policy makers across Sub-Saharan Africa, including in fragile and conflict-affectedsituations (FCS), consider youth employment a central policy issue. As the recent World Development Report (WDR) on jobs has highlighted, jobs are a key driver of development(World Bank 2012). Jobs matter for...

Many policy makers across Sub-Saharan Africa, including in fragile and conflict-affectedsituations (FCS), consider youth employment a central policy issue. As the recent World Development Report (WDR) on jobs has highlighted, jobs are a key driver of development(World Bank 2012). Jobs matter for...

The lack of efficient social security systems, the presence of large informal sectors, and the pace at which the population is aging in some Sub-Saharan African countries are red flags warning of a potential long-term problem: that is, the inability of countries to provide old-age income...

In 2010, Greece, under the pressure of an increasing public debt, was forced to resort to the Troika, which is the designation of the triumvirate which comprises the European Commission (EC), the European Central Bank (ECB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The Troika agreed to provide...

This study provides a framework for comparison and benchmarking of administrative expenditures of public and private social security programs. The paper presents the genesis of the inquiries into the subject, reviewing some of the most relevant literature on administrative expenditures and the...

As part of the 2006-2011 National Development Plan, the Plurinational State of Bolivia launched two cash transfer programs and one youth labor training program aimed at promoting the accumulation of households’ human capital: the Juancito Pinto Educational Grant, the Juana Azurduy Mother-Child...

Traditional benchmarks to assess performance rely on unconditional rankings or regional averages. This paper uses a recently developed methodology based on quantile regressions and initial conditions to propose alternative benchmarks for social sectors in Kyrgyz Republic. Covering a wide set of...