Poverty and the Spatial Distribution of Rural Population

Barbier, Edward B. ; Hochard, Jacob P.

World Bank Group, Washington, DC

关键词: ABSOLUTE POVERTY;    ACCESS TO GOODS;    ACCESS TO INFRASTRUCTURE;    ACCESS TO IRRIGATION;    ACCESS TO MARKETS;   

DOI  :  10.1596/1813-9450-7101
RP-ID  :  WPS7101

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

According to global spatial data sets in2000 more than one-third of the rural population indeveloping countries was located on less favoredagricultural land and areas. Less favored agricultural landsare susceptible to low productivity and degradation, becausetheir agricultural potential is constrained biophysically byterrain, poor soil quality, or limited rainfall. Lessfavored agricultural areas include less favored agriculturallands plus favorable agricultural land that is remote, thatis, land in rural areas with high agricultural potential butwith limited access. The paper presents tests of whetherthese spatial distributions of rural population influencepoverty directly or indirectly via income growth in 83developing countries from 2000 to 2012. The analysis findsno evidence of a direct impact on poverty, but there is asignificant indirect impact via the elasticity of povertyreduction with respect to growth. Reducing poverty requirestargeting rural populations in less favored lands and remoteareas, in addition to encouraging out-migration in some areas.