Template-type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Takahiro Akita
Author-Name-First:Takahiro 
Author-Name-Last: Akita
Author-Email: akita@iuj.ac.jp
Author-Workplace-Name: IUJ Research Institute, International University of Japan
Author-Name: Dorji Lethro
Author-Name-First: Dorji
Author-Name-Last: Lethro
Author-Workplace-Name: National Statistics Bureau, Royal Government of Bhutan
Title: Pro-poorness of Rural Economic Growth and the Roles of Education in Bhutan, 2007 - 2017
Abstract: This study examines whether Bhutan’s rural economic growth was pro-poor from 2007-2017 by using expenditure data from the Bhutan Living Standard Surveys. It also conducts an IV probit analysis to explore the determinants of poverty. Even in rural areas, growth is necessary for the reduction of poverty. Besides relying on trickle-down effects from hydropower projects and tourism, promotion of agriculture-based small scale industries is essential for the acceleration of rural economic growth, where further development of basic industrial infrastructure and socioeconomic facilities is imperative. The country also needs to further promote and strengthen basic education in rural areas since education is found to have played an important role in reducing poverty. Many rural households are vulnerable to poverty. To prevent vulnerable households from falling into poverty, more effective social safety net programs may be necessary based on regional differences in factors affecting living conditions.
Classification-JEL: I32, O15, O18
Length: 37 pages
Creation-Date: 2021-12
Number: EMS_2021_06
File-URL: https://www.iuj.ac.jp/workingpapers/index.cfm?File=EMS_2021_06.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
File-Function: First version, 2021
File-Size: 1.1MB
Keywords: pro-poor growth, rural economic growth, poverty incidence. expenditure inequality, education, Bhutan
Handle: RePEc:iuj:wpaper:EMS_2021_06