Publication: Latvia - Sharing the High Growth Dividend : A Living Standards Assessment
Date
2007-03
ISSN
Published
2007-03
Author(s)
World Bank
Abstract
Between 1998 and 2004, Latvia achieved
substantial progress in poverty reduction, with an estimated
325,000 people moving out of poverty over this period. This
report examines the extent and causes of poverty reduction
during this period using data from a variety of sources, the
national accounts, as well as household budget, labor force,
and other household surveys. The report is divided into four
sections; Chapter 1 summarizes recent economic developments.
It reviews key changes in the Latvian economy over the past
decade. It addresses growth trends at the sector level,
summarizes changes in income and consumption, and identifies
key labor market developments experienced by Latvia in
recent years. Chapter 2 examines trends in poverty and
inequality, and provides a poverty profile. It uses data
from the household budget survey series to shed light on
recent trends, and strives to resolve the apparent puzzle of
why Laeken poverty indicators show no decline in poverty.
The chapter also summarizes the main correlates of poverty,
and elaborates on what explains differences in welfare
status among different groups. Chapter 3 analyzes the main
determinants of employment and earnings. It draws upon data
from the labor force survey series, as well as from a recent
representative survey of employees conducted in 2005 to
examine the links between language skills and earnings.
Finally, chapter 4 examines targeting effectiveness of
various social assistance programs using data from the 2004
HBS. In particular, the analysis focuses on the coverage,
adequacy, and targeting efficiency of the various transfer
programs in operation (pensions, state social security
benefits, local government assistance benefits, and state
social benefits).
Citation
“World Bank. 2007. Latvia - Sharing the High Growth Dividend : A Living Standards Assessment. © Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/77136a26-9fcc-563b-84f4-39bc64e7e152 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”