A counterfactual analysis of the poverty impact of economic growth in Cameroon

摘要: The Government of Cameroon has declared poverty reduction through strong and sustainable economic growth the central objective its socioeconomic policy. This paper uses available household survey data to assess performance economy with respect this over period 1996-2007. authors use counterfactual decompositions based on both Shapley method generalized Oaxaca-Blinder framework identify proximate factors that might explain differences in observed outcomes time, across regions households. concept pro-poorness provides a basis for normative evaluation these outcomes. analysis changes size distribution welfare reveals formal sector employment, access credit, education, urban residence are characteristics bring significantly high returns Employment smallholder agriculture negative impact quantiles. Economic was accompanied by significant between 1996 2001. But barely decreased 2001 2007 due very weak growth. Over same period, investment human capital took serious hit. Given additional finding pattern is characterized bias regional disparity, overall assessment been weakly pro-poor Cameroon. There therefore need re-examine possibly reform mechanisms governing allocation public resources designed support individuals' efforts improve their standard living.