Why a universal Child Grant makes sense in Nepal: A four-step analysis. (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mathers, Nicholas
• Is Part Of: Global social policy. Volume 17:Number 3(2017)
• Page Start: 353
• Page End: 358
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Cash transfers -- Nepal -- social protection -- targeting; Social policy -- Periodicals; 361
• DOI: 10.1177/1468018117729913
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1468-0181

Abstract

Whether cash transfers should be poverty targeted or universal within certain social categories remains a hotly debated topic. Recent plans to expand Nepal's Child Grant programme brought this question sharply into focus. Using available secondary data, this article presents a four-step analysis that examines the costs and benefits of different approaches. Given the country's poverty profile, the theoretical results of different targeting models, government capacity and overall costs, a universal (age-cohort targeted) approach achieves the best outcomes for children.