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Statistics versus livelihoods: questioning Rwanda’s pathway out of poverty

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  • An Ansoms
  • Esther Marijnen
  • Giuseppe Cioffo
  • Jude Murison

Abstract

Recent statistics indicate that poverty in Rwanda decreased impressively between 2006 and 2014. This seems to confirm Rwanda’s developmental progress. This article however argues for a more cautious interpretation of household survey data. The authors contrast macro-level statistical analysis with in-depth field research on livelihood conditions. Macro-economic numbers provide interesting information, however differentiated evidence is required to understand how poverty ‘works’ in everyday life. On the basis of the Rwandan case study, the authors conclude that because of the high political stakes of data collection and analysis, and given that relations of power influence the production of knowledge on poverty, cross-checking is crucial.

Suggested Citation

  • An Ansoms & Esther Marijnen & Giuseppe Cioffo & Jude Murison, 2017. "Statistics versus livelihoods: questioning Rwanda’s pathway out of poverty," Review of African Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(151), pages 47-65, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:revape:v:44:y:2017:i:151:p:47-65
    DOI: 10.1080/03056244.2016.1214119
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    1. Arndt, Channing & McKay, Andy & Tarp, Finn (ed.), 2016. "Growth and Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198744795.
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    Cited by:

    1. Diwakar, Vidya & Shepherd, Andrew, 2022. "Sustaining escapes from poverty," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    2. Karolin Andersson & Katarina Pettersson & Johanna Bergman Lodin, 2022. "Window dressing inequalities and constructing women farmers as problematic—gender in Rwanda’s agriculture policy," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 39(4), pages 1245-1261, December.
    3. Zunera Ahmad Rana & Dirk‐Jan Koch, 2022. "What happens to aid fungibility when the recipient government takes control? Effects of aid ownership in Rwanda," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 40(5), September.
    4. Illien, Patrick & Bieri, Sabin, 2024. "Political settlements analysis and the study of pro-poor development: Laos and Rwanda compared," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).

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