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In-Kind Transfers as Insurance

Author

Listed:
  • Lucie Gadenne
  • Samuel Norris
  • Monica Singhal
  • Sandip Sukhtankar

Abstract

Households in developing countries often face variation in the prices of consumption goods. We develop a model demonstrating that in-kind transfers will provide insurance benefits against price risk if the covariance between the marginal utility of income and price is positive. Using calorie shortfalls as a proxy for marginal utility, we find that this condition holds for low-income Indian households. Expansions in India's flagship in-kind food transfer program not only increase caloric intake but also reduce caloric sensitivity to prices. Our results contribute to ongoing debates about the optimal form of social protection programs.

Suggested Citation

  • Lucie Gadenne & Samuel Norris & Monica Singhal & Sandip Sukhtankar, 2024. "In-Kind Transfers as Insurance," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 114(9), pages 2861-2897, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aecrev:v:114:y:2024:i:9:p:2861-97
    DOI: 10.1257/aer.20220822
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • H53 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Welfare Programs
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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