Inclusive Growth: An Application of the Social Opportunity Function to Selected African Countries

Author/Editor:

Olumuyiwa S Adedeji ; Huancheng Du ; Maxwell Opoku-Afari

Publication Date:

June 3, 2013

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:

The inclusiveness of growth depends on the extent of access to economic and social opportunities. This paper applies the concept of social opportunity function to ascertain the inclusiveness of growth episodes in selected African countries. Premised on the concept of social welfare function, inclusive growth is associated with increased average opportunities available to the population and improvement in their distribution. The paper establishes that the high growth episodes in the last decade in the selected countries came with increased average opportunities in education and health; but distribution of such opportunities varied across countries, depending on the country-specific policies underpining the growth episodes.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2013/139

Subject:

English

Publication Date:

June 3, 2013

ISBN/ISSN:

9781484360880/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2013139

Pages:

33

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