Evaluating the performance of means-tested benefits in Bulgaria

Publication type

Journal Article

Author

Publication date

November 15, 2016

Abstract:

Using household survey data and microsimulation techniques, we analyse the performance of three means-tested benefits in Bulgaria. We find that the transfers reach a small proportion of households with incomes below a relative poverty line, they have high non take-up rates, and large proportions of the recipients are neither poor nor entitled to receive the benefits. Unsurprisingly, although an important income source for poor households, the benefits have a very small impact on reducing the poverty rates. We show that our results are robust to potential underreporting of benefit receipt in the household survey. Finally, we analyse the effect of five reform scenarios, one of which fiscally neutral, on poverty and find that there is a large scope for policy improvement.

Published in

Journal of Comparative Economics

Volume and page numbers

Volume: 44 , p.919 -935

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jce.2016.02.003

ISSN

1475967

Subjects

Links

- http://repository.essex.ac.uk/16150/


Related Publications

#523521

News

Latest findings, new research

Publications search

Search all research by subject and author

Podcasts

Researchers discuss their findings and what they mean for society

Projects

Background and context, methods and data, aims and outputs

Events

Conferences, seminars and workshops

Survey methodology

Specialist research, practice and study

Taking the long view

ISER's annual report

Themes

Key research themes and areas of interest