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Inter-household transfers in South Africa: prevalence, patterns and poverty

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  • Dorrit Posel

    (Economics, University of the Witwatersrand.)

Abstract

In this paper, I use unique and detailed data, collected in four waves of the National Income Dynamics Study, to provide a descriptive overview of inter-household transfers in South Africa, including their prevalence and size, and how they compare with other developing countries. I take advantage of the panel nature of the data to investigate whether the likelihood that individuals receive or send transfers responds to changes in the economic wellbeing and composition of the individual's household, and to the receipt of public transfers or social grants. I also use the panel data to explore persistence in private transfers over time, and to compare the relative contribution of private and public transfers to poverty reduction.

Suggested Citation

  • Dorrit Posel, 2016. "Inter-household transfers in South Africa: prevalence, patterns and poverty," SALDRU Working Papers 180, Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town.
    • Handle: RePEc:ldr:wpaper:180
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    5. Dorrit Posel & Colin Marx, 2013. "Circular Migration: A View from Destination Households in Two Urban Informal Settlements in South Africa," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(6), pages 819-831, June.
    6. Maitra, Pushkar & Ray, Ranjan, 2003. "The effect of transfers on household expenditure patterns and poverty in South Africa," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 71(1), pages 23-49, June.
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    9. Paolo Verme, 2011. "The Poverty Reduction Capacity of Public and Private Transfers in Transition," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 47(6), pages 870-893.
    10. Cox, Donald & Jimenez, Emmanuel, 1990. "Achieving Social Objectives through Private Transfers: A Review," The World Bank Research Observer, World Bank, vol. 5(2), pages 205-218, July.
    11. Schatz, Enid & Ogunmefun, Catherine, 2007. "Caring and Contributing: The Role of Older Women in Rural South African Multi-generational Households in the HIV/AIDS Era," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 35(8), pages 1390-1403, August.
    12. Sher Verick, 2012. "Giving up Job Search during a Recession: The Impact of the Global Financial Crisis on the South African Labour Market-super- †," Journal of African Economies, Centre for the Study of African Economies, vol. 21(3), pages 373-408, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Waidler, Jennifer, 2016. "On the fungibility of public and private transfers: A mental accounting approach," MERIT Working Papers 2016-060, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).

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