This volume is one of two volumes based on a series of five conferences and the result of a large research project undertaken by the Economic Development Institute (EDI) of the World Bank. This volume includes seven issues papers that cover topics such as: (a) structural adjustment and poverty;...

Adjustment is best considered as the implementation of comprehensive reforms of macro and micro policies, in response to various shocks, and to rectify inappropriate past policies that have hampered economic performance. These shocks have adversely affected the whole range of economic policy...

The labour market is one of the most important channels through which adjustment programmes affect the poor. Adjustment's poverty impact will differ between competitive and imperfect labour markets. Two effects on poverty are highlighted: changes in real wages arising from changes in labour...