Cost-Benefit Analysis in Developing Countries: What’s Different?

There are both similarities and differences between conducting cost-benefit analysis in developed and developing countries . While the fundamental principles and theory underlying cost-benefit analysis maybe the same , the methodologies and the estimation techniques that are most appropriate in each context may substantially differ . The incompleteness and deficiencies of the labour , goods, and financial markets in developing economies may render revealed preference approaches to valuation unsuitable and inferior to stated preference models . But yet , even stated preference models are difficult to operationalize in developing countries where the literacy rates may not be too encouraging to allow for complete understanding of such valuation methods . It is largely because of the latter’s complexity that the paper here suggests the newer method of adapting to the damage schedules approach to yield meaningful and more straightforward valuation of non-market goods and services . Understanding the differences in applying cost-benefit analysis to developed and developing countries will go a long way to helping policy makers make informed decisions.