## Poverty, Income Distribution, and Economic Policy in the Philippines

_IMF Working Papers, February 1, 1998_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Poverty, Income Distribution, and Economic Policy in the Philippines](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/poverty-income-distribution-and-economic-policy-in-the-philippines-2515)

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## Bibliographic details
- Authors: Philip R. Gerson
- Published: February 1, 1998
- Series: IMF Working Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781451922196.001

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### Main findings
- Income distribution in the Philippines is highly uneven.
- Poverty rates in the Philippines are higher than in other ASEAN countries.
- The poverty rate has declined over time, but the rate of decline has been lower than in other countries.
- Income inequality has been persistent.
- These outcomes are attributed to historically slow economic growth, owing in part to poor policies and past failures to reduce structural impediments to a more equal distribution of income.
- Despite reforms in recent years, it will likely take some time to erase the effects of past policies.

### Analysis of causes
- Historically slow economic growth is identified as a central factor contributing to high poverty and persistent inequality.
- Poor policies are cited as part of the reason for slow growth.
- Past failures to reduce structural impediments have contributed to an unequal distribution of income.
- Recent reforms are noted, but their effects are considered insufficient to quickly reverse legacy impacts.

### Subjects and keywords (as provided)
- Subjects: Education, Expenditure, Income distribution, National accounts, Personal income, Poverty
- Keywords: cost of capital, distribution in the Philippines, East Asia, government expenditure, Income Distribution, increase equity, land reform, Personal income, Philippines, Poverty, poverty incidence, poverty rate, WP

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## Content in this bundle

- **Poverty, Income Distribution, and Economic Policy in the Philippines - WP/98/20**
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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/poverty-income-distribution-and-economic-policy-in-the-philippines-2515_