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Public Social Spending in Africa: Do the Poor Benefit?

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  • Castro-Leal, Florencia
  • Dayton, Julia
  • Demery, Lionel
  • Mehra, Kalpana

Abstract

Education and health care are basic services essential in any effort to combat poverty and are often subsidized with public funds to help achieve that purpose. This paper examines the effectiveness of public social spending on education and health care in several African countries and finds that this targeting problem cannot be solved simply by adjusting the subsidy program. The constraints that prevent the poor from taking advantage of these services must also be addressed if the public subsidies are to be effective. Copyright 1999 by Oxford University Press.

Suggested Citation

  • Castro-Leal, Florencia & Dayton, Julia & Demery, Lionel & Mehra, Kalpana, 1999. "Public Social Spending in Africa: Do the Poor Benefit?," The World Bank Research Observer, World Bank, vol. 14(1), pages 49-72, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:wbrobs:v:14:y:1999:i:1:p:49-72
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