Poverty, Income Distribution, and Economic Policy in the Philippines

27 Pages Posted: 15 Feb 2006

See all articles by Philip Gerson

Philip Gerson

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Date Written: February 1998

Abstract

Income distribution in the Philippines is highly uneven, and poverty rates are higher than in other ASEAN countries. In addition, although the poverty rate has declined over time, the rate of decline has been lower than in other countries, and income inequality has been persistent. These facts are due to historically slow economic growth, owing in part to poor policies, as well as to 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.

Keywords: Poverty, Income Distribution, Philippines

JEL Classification: H20, H50, I30

Suggested Citation

Gerson, Philip, Poverty, Income Distribution, and Economic Policy in the Philippines (February 1998). IMF Working Paper No. 98/20, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=882248

Philip Gerson (Contact Author)

International Monetary Fund (IMF) ( email )

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