Inequality, Poverty and Social Policy: Recent Trends in Chile

Osvaldo Larrañaga, University of Chile, Chile
No. 85, 08/04/2009, English, 34 pages, doi: 10.1787/224516554144
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development OECD

PDF Available online: http://www.olis.oecd.org/olis/2009doc.nsf/linkto/delsa-elsa-wd-sem(2009)13

Abstract:
http://www.oecd.org/LongAbstract/0,3425,en_2649_33933_42545457_119684_1_1_1,00.html

This report aims to outline the main trends in income distribution and poverty in Chile, as well as the role of social policy in these areas.
The report includes five sections:
First, it discusses recent trends in income inequality and poverty, including a brief overview of the data available in the country.
Second, it describes the country’s social protection programs, including with respect to coverage, financing and distributional impact.
The third section examines how social policy has affected poverty reduction in recent decades, which is followed by an analysis of the relative stability of income inequality and its relation topublic policy instruments. Section five presents future trends in social policy and their potential impact on inequality and poverty.

Content:

SUMMARY
RESUME
I. Trends in inequality and poverty
The data
The period under analysis
Trends in income inequality: 1990-2006
Poverty Trends
II. Social protection programs in Chile
Non-contributory transfers (social assistance transfers)
Social Security programs
Social Development Programs
Housing
III. Social policy and poverty reduction
Accumulation of human capital
Income transfers
Anti-poverty Programs
IV. Social policy and income inequality
Household and income structure
Government transfers, taxes and income inequality
Social services and income inequality
Outlook
V. Future developments in social policy
Proposals of the Work and Equity Commission
REFERENCES