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Targeting Social Assistance in a Transition Economy: The Mahallas in Uzbekistan
Author(s) -
Micklewright John,
Marnie Sheila
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
social policy and administration
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.972
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1467-9515
pISSN - 0144-5596
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-9515.2005.00448.x
Subject(s) - falling (accident) , variety (cybernetics) , business , agriculture , standard of living , economic growth , social assistance , development economics , public good , public assistance , economics , market economy , geography , environmental health , welfare , medicine , archaeology , artificial intelligence , computer science , microeconomics
Falling output and living standards have pushed countries in transition from the socialist system to reconsider how best to target public resources on those in need. This paper investigates the workings of a new social assistance benefit in Uzbekistan, the largest of the former Soviet Central Asian republics, administered by community organizations, the Mahallas. Household survey data are used to assess the scheme's success in targeting on the most vulnerable households, using a variety of indicators including income, durable goods ownership, agricultural assets, employment status, and anthropometric status of children.