Taxation, Inequality and Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa

Taxation, Inequality and Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa PDF Author: Michael Masiya
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 15

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Book Description
The study investigated the impact of taxation on poverty and inequality in 14 Sub-Saharan African countries in a strongly balanced panel spanning from 1990 to 2010 using data from World Bank, IMF, IBFD, and Government Revenue Database (GRD). The study employed the Bayesian Model Averaging, Simple Panel Models and the GMM models to ascertain the impact of taxation on inequality and poverty. The results revealed that the more progressive a tax system is, the less the inequality and that a higher tax effort reduces poverty. Another interesting result was that while rising tax proportion of GDP reduces poverty, it is bound to worsen inequality. Policy implications arising from the study include: gradual expansion of the tax base, limiting the use of differentiated rates, utilization of withholding and presumptive taxes, transparency and simplicity of the tax system. Additionally, SSA governments are urged to adopt multi-bracketed tax systems to curb inequality.

Taxation, Inequality and Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa

Taxation, Inequality and Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa PDF Author: Michael Masiya
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 15

Get Book Here

Book Description
The study investigated the impact of taxation on poverty and inequality in 14 Sub-Saharan African countries in a strongly balanced panel spanning from 1990 to 2010 using data from World Bank, IMF, IBFD, and Government Revenue Database (GRD). The study employed the Bayesian Model Averaging, Simple Panel Models and the GMM models to ascertain the impact of taxation on inequality and poverty. The results revealed that the more progressive a tax system is, the less the inequality and that a higher tax effort reduces poverty. Another interesting result was that while rising tax proportion of GDP reduces poverty, it is bound to worsen inequality. Policy implications arising from the study include: gradual expansion of the tax base, limiting the use of differentiated rates, utilization of withholding and presumptive taxes, transparency and simplicity of the tax system. Additionally, SSA governments are urged to adopt multi-bracketed tax systems to curb inequality.

Tax Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa

Tax Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa PDF Author: Zmarak Shalizi
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 9780821311653
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 38

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Book Description
Trade is an essential driver for sustained economic growth, and growth is necessary for poverty reduction. In Sub-Saharan Africa, where three-fourths of the poor live in rural areas, spurring growth and generating income and employment opportunities is critical for poverty reduction strategies. Seventy percent of the population lives in rural areas, where livelihoods are largely dependent on the production and export of raw agricultural commodities such as coffee, cocoa, and cotton, whose prices in real terms have been steadily declining over the past decades. The deterioration in the terms of trade resulted for Africa in a steady contraction of its share in global trade over the past 50 years. Diversification of agriculture into higher-value, non-traditional exports is seen today as a priority for most of these countries. Some African countries-in particular, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, CÔte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Zimbabwe-have managed to diversify their agricultural sector into non-traditional, high-value-added products such as cut flowers and plants, fresh and processed fruits and vegetables. To learn from these experiences and better assist other African countries in designing and implementing effective agricultural growth and diversification strategies, the World Bank has launched a comprehensive set of studies under the broad theme of "Agricultural Trade Facilitation and Non-Traditional Agricultural Export Development in Sub-Saharan Africa." This study provides an in-depth analysis of the current structure and dynamics of the European import market for flowers and fresh horticulture products. It aims to help client countries, industry stakeholders, and development partners to get a better understanding of these markets, and to assess the prospects and opportunities they offer for Sub-Saharan African exporters.

Income Inequality Trends in Sub-Saharan Africa

Income Inequality Trends in Sub-Saharan Africa PDF Author: Ayodele F. Odusola
Publisher:
ISBN: 9789211264241
Category : Africa, Sub-Saharan
Languages : en
Pages : 43

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Book Description


The Effects of Taxation on Income Inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa

The Effects of Taxation on Income Inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa PDF Author: Idrissa Mohamed Ouedraogo
Publisher:
ISBN: 9789292672621
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This paper investigates the effects of taxation on income inequality in an unbalanced panel of 45 countries in sub-Saharan Africa over the period 1980-2018. We use instrumentalvariable two-stage least squares and instrumental-variable quantile regression estimates. We find that taxation widens income inequality. We also show that the increasing effects of taxation on income inequality are higher in the most unequal countries than in the least unequal countries. Furthermore, we highlight an inverse U-shaped relationship between indirect taxes and income inequality. Governments in sub-Saharan Africa should increase indirect taxes to at least 28.36 per cent of gross domestic product in order to reap the dividends in terms of reducing inequality.

Poverty in Africa

Poverty in Africa PDF Author: Augustin Kwasi Fosu
Publisher: University of Nairobi Press
ISBN: 996684662X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 27

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Book Description
This volume adds value to the existing literature by presenting concepts and methods for poverty analysis in a single source and by documenting them for students, scholars and policy-makers, especially those in Africa where the challenge of poverty reduction is greatest. --Book Jacket.

Determinants of Income Inequality and Its Effects on Economic Growth

Determinants of Income Inequality and Its Effects on Economic Growth PDF Author: Matthew O. Odedokun
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Africa
Languages : en
Pages : 42

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Book Description


The Disconcerting Pyramids of Poverty and Inequality of Sub-Saharan Africa

The Disconcerting Pyramids of Poverty and Inequality of Sub-Saharan Africa PDF Author: Mr.Paulo Silva Lopes
Publisher: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND
ISBN: 9781451860665
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Poverty and inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) should not be ascertained only on the basis of scarce and unreliable income distribution statistics, but should also take into account social conditions. Recent, widely disseminated claims that poverty and inequality have increased over the past 30 years are based on regional income estimates with falling medians and rising upper variances over that period. Graphically, this translates into pyramid-shaped income distributions that, perversely, shift to the left and widen over time. However, during the same period social indicators improved significantly (if insufficiently), and we argue in this paper that such a trend represents progress with social equity in SSA. This point is illustrated through the configuration of alternative "social pyramids" that move for most of the last 30 years in the right direction. However, more recently, social indicators are being set back by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, which will generate greater and more dehumanizing poverty in the years ahead even if meaningful economic growth is achieved. As underscored by the multiplicity of "pyramid" representations, poverty and inequality time trends in SSA can thus best be described as disconcerting in that they remain arguably illusive and definitely disturbing.

Fiscal Redistribution and Income Inequality in Latin America

Fiscal Redistribution and Income Inequality in Latin America PDF Author: Edwin Goni
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN:
Category : Debt Markets
Languages : en
Pages : 31

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Book Description
Abstract: Income inequality in Latin America ranks among the highest in the world. It can be traced back to the unequal distribution of assets (especially land and education) in the region. But the extent to which asset inequality translates into income inequality depends on the redistributive capacity of the state. This paper documents the performance of Latin American fiscal systems from the perspective of income redistribution using newly-available information on the incidence of taxes and transfers across the region. The findings indicate that: (i) the differences in income inequality before taxes and transfers between Latin America and Western Europe are much more modest than those after taxes and transfers; (ii) the key reason is that, in contrast with industrial countries, in most Latin American countries the fiscal system is of little help in reducing income inequality; and (iii) in countries where fiscal redistribution is significant, it is achieved mostly through transfers rather than taxes. These facts stress the need for fiscal reforms across the region to further the goal of social equity. However, different countries need to place different relative emphasis on raising tax collection, restructuring the tax system, and improving the targeting of expenditures.

Performance of Tax-benefit Systems Amid COVID-19 Crises in Sub-Saharan Africa

Performance of Tax-benefit Systems Amid COVID-19 Crises in Sub-Saharan Africa PDF Author: Jesse Lastunen
Publisher:
ISBN: 9789292674380
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
We examine the distributional effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated tax-benefit measures in seven sub-Saharan African countries, focusing on the onset of the crisis. We evaluate impacts on disposable incomes, considering variations across income groups; assess the effectiveness of tax-benefit policies in mitigating income losses; and analyse the influence of these measures on income-based poverty and inequality. We find notable reductions in disposable incomes, concentrated among higher-income households, and moderate increases in headcount poverty rates and poverty gaps. The study highlights the low effectiveness of pre-existing tax-benefit policies, with coverage gaps for the informal sector and a lack of income-dependent means-tested benefits. Discretionary taxbenefit policies in Mozambique and Zambia cushioned the shock for low-income households to a small extent. Conversely, school closures in Ethiopia and Ghana suppressed the provision of school meals, adding strain to households with school-age children.

Republic of Congo

Republic of Congo PDF Author: International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 149833461X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 35

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Book Description
This Selected Issues paper proposes a strategy that could mitigate the adverse effect of fiscal consolidation on inequality and poverty in the Republic of Congo. The paper reviews income inequality and poverty trend and describes the redistributive role of fiscal policy in the Republic of Congo. It also discusses how fiscal consolidation can contribute to achieving distributional objectives through tax and expenditure policy reforms. The Republic of Congo has also started implementing social safety net programs. In order to address the challenges of high poverty and inequality, the Republic of Congo government is focusing on the development of a social safety net targeted at the poor and vulnerable groups. An impact analysis carried out by the World Bank suggests that the cash transfer program could have a significant impact on poverty and inequality in the Republic of Congo. Fiscal consolidation should be based on progressive tax and spending measures, in order to protect vulnerable households during adjustment.