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Can fungibility of development aid lead to more effective achievement of the SDGs?: An analysis of the aggregate welfare effect of aid fungibility

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  • Zunera Rana
  • Dirk-Jan Koch

Abstract

In this paper, we explore the relationship between foreign aid fungibility and aggregate welfare. Using panel data from 35 low-income and lower-middle-income countries, we first check the presence of sectoral aid fungibility in our sample and find evidence for it. We then use econometric methods to empirically analyse the impact of this fungibility on aggregate welfare as measured through the Human Development Index. Our findings suggest that in some cases sectoral aid fungibility can lead to an improvement in aggregate welfare.

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  • Zunera Rana & Dirk-Jan Koch, 2022. "Can fungibility of development aid lead to more effective achievement of the SDGs?: An analysis of the aggregate welfare effect of aid fungibility," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2022-122, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2022-122
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nicolas Van de Sijpe, 2013. "Is Foreign Aid Fungible? Evidence from the Education and Health Sectors," The World Bank Economic Review, World Bank, vol. 27(2), pages 320-356.
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    3. Pierre‐Richard Agénor & Devrim Yilmaz, 2013. "Aid Allocation, Growth And Welfare With Productive Public Goods," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 18(2), pages 103-127, March.
    4. Tripathi, Sabyasachi, 2019. "Urbanization and Human Development Index: Cross-country evidence," MPRA Paper 97474, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Adeniyi Jimmy Adedokun, 2017. "Foreign Aid, Governance and Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: Does One Cap Fit All?," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 29(2), pages 184-196, June.
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    7. Nicolas Van de Sijpe, 2013. "Is Foreign Aid Fungible? Evidence from the Education and Health Sectors," World Bank Economic Review, World Bank Group, vol. 27(2), pages 320-356.
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    Keywords

    Foreign aid; Econometrics; Aggregate welfare; Fungibility; SDGs;
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