Delivering on the promise of pro-poor growth

Policy makers who seek to reduce poverty should implement policies that enable their countries to achieve a higher rate of growth. Examining the relationship between growth and poverty reduction among eight countries in the 1990s and early 2000s, countries with rapid growth saw the most poverty reduction. In contrast, poverty levels rose in many developing countries where growth stagnated or was negative for this period.

But growth is more effective in reducing poverty in some countries than in
others. This volume provides important lessons about what has and has not worked in these countries to increase the participation of poor households in growth. Enhancing the capacity of poor people to participate in growth requires
long-term policies and investments designed to raise the market incomes of poor men and women. The policy lessons discussed here place macro and investment climate policies and investments in the productive sectors (rural development, infrastructure) firmly onto the poverty reduction agenda along with social sector investments. The experience of the eight countries offers evidence that such policies and investments, when properly designed, can help the poor to benefit and contribute to economic growth.