Targeting Social Assistance in a Transition Economy: The Mahallas in Uzbekistan

摘要: Falling output and living standards have pushed countries in transition from the socialist system to reconsider how best target public resources on those need. This paper investigates workings of a new social assistance benefit Uzbekistan, largest former Soviet Central Asian republics, administered by community organizations, Mahallas. Household survey data are used assess scheme's success targeting most vulnerable households, using variety indicators including income, durable goods ownership, agricultural assets, employment status, anthropometric status children.