What role for safety net transfers in very low income countries

This study is part of the World Bank series "An introduction to social safety nets". It looks at the difficulties faced by very low income countries in setting up social transfer programmes.

The report looks first at the role of social safety nets as part of the strategy against poverty, from the view-point of growth and income distribution. Then it studies the characteristics of poverty in these countries, to see what implications they have for choosing social safety nets.

The report also looks at administrative and fiscal constraints, and talks about elements to consider when choosing programmes for these countries.

World Bank - January 2003