Poverty in a Wealthy Economy: The Case of Nigeria

Author/Editor:

Sudharshan Canagarajah ; Saji Thomas

Publication Date:

July 1, 2002

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

This paper describes the nature and evolution of poverty in Nigeria between 1985 and 1992. It highlights the potential wealth of the Nigerian economy and examines how the economic policies pursued in the 1980s and 1990s impacted economic growth and welfare. The headcount measure of poverty in Nigeria declined from 43 percent to 34 percent between 1985 and 1992. Decomposing the factors causing the reduction in poverty shows that the overall decline of 9 percentage point was the net result of a 14 percentage point decline owing to the growth factor and a 5 percentage point increase owing to the income distribution factor. The paper proposes that promoting broad-based growth and targeted interventions in health, education, and infrastructure need to be central strategies in the fight against poverty in Nigeria.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2002/114

Subject:

Income distribution National accounts Personal income Population and demographics Poverty Poverty reduction

English

Publication Date:

July 1, 2002

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451853803/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA1142002

Pages:

36

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