2001年-世界发展银行全球_Poverty_in_the_West_Bank_and_Gaza_83页_4mb

报告摘要

Summary of the World Bank Report on Poverty in the West Bank and Gaza (Report No. 22312-GZ)

Core Content

This report provides an analysis of poverty in the West Bank and Gaza (WBG) from 1996 to 1998, focusing on its causes, trends, and policy implications. It is structured into four chapters and includes annexes with detailed data and methodology.

Main Findings

A. Poverty Rates and Trends (Chapter I)

Poverty Levels: In 1998, approximately 23.2% of the population in the WBG lived below the poverty line, equating to around 674,000 individuals.
Regional Disparities: Poverty rates were significantly higher in Gaza (37%) compared to the West Bank (15%), but due to the larger population in the West Bank, it housed 43% of all poor Palestinians.
Household Differences: Female-headed households had higher poverty rates (26%) than male-headed ones (20%), but they represented only 11% of all poor households.
International Comparison: Poverty in the WBG is high for a lower middle-income economy with a GNP per capita of US$1,800 in 1998. This is attributed to the high prices of goods and services, which are similar to those in upper middle-income countries, but without corresponding wage levels.
Social Indicators: Health and education indicators in the WBG are comparable to those of upper middle-income countries, possibly due to the delivery of social services and Palestinian investment in human capital.

B. Impact of Economic Growth and Employment (Chapter II)

Poverty Reduction: Between 1996 and 1998, poverty in the WBG decreased by 3.5 percentage points. This was primarily due to a 3.9% growth in real GDP per capita and a decline in income inequality.
Economic Growth: In the West Bank, 80% of the decline in poverty was due to increased real consumption, while in Gaza, only 36% was due to consumption growth, with a larger role played by income redistribution.
Labor Market Dynamics: Job creation in Israel and the public sector in the WBG contributed to poverty reduction. However, the private sector's role in reducing poverty was minimal.
Employment and Poverty: Higher employment rates significantly reduced poverty. In the West Bank, job creation accounted for 84% of the decline in the head-count index, while in Gaza, it accounted for 46%.
Policy Implications: For sustained poverty reduction, the WBG needs higher GNP growth (at least 6.7% annually) to offset population growth. Structural reforms are essential to improve long-term employment opportunities and productivity.

C. Poverty Map (Chapter III)

District-Level Poverty: Poverty rates varied significantly across districts. Gaza districts had the highest rates (up to 55%), while Jerusalem had the lowest (around 2-7%).
Localities: Three of the top five poorest localities (Al Jiftlik, Yatta, and Ya'bad) were in the West Bank, with poverty rates between 40-51%. The five most affluent localities were urban centers in the West Bank.
Intra-District Variation: Poverty incidence varied dramatically within districts. In the West Bank, the highest poverty rates were 4 to 7 times the lowest within the same district, particularly in Nablus, Bethlehem/Jericho, and Ramallah.

D. Social Safety Nets (Chapter IV)

Sources of Social Protection: The safety net in the WBG is provided by the Palestinian Authority, international assistance, NGOs, and informal family support.
Coverage and Effectiveness: The formal safety net reached only 30% of the poor population in 1998 and had limited effectiveness in lifting families out of poverty.
Leakage Issues: A significant portion of aid (40%) went to non-poor households, highlighting inefficiencies in targeting.
Improvement Strategies: Modest improvements in targeting, decentralization of welfare programs, and better resource allocation to high-poverty areas can enhance the safety net. Long-term strategies include integrating social programs, improving coordination, and establishing a social insurance system to protect the elderly.

Key Information

Currency Equivalents: US$1.00 = NIS 4.146 (as of June 11, 2001).
Fiscal Year: January 1 – December 31.
Acronyms and Abbreviations:
- G: Gaza
- GDP: Gross Domestic Product
- GNP: Gross National Product
- MOSA: Ministry of Social Affairs
- NCPA: National Commission for Poverty Alleviation
- NGO: Non-governmental organizations
- NIS: New Israeli Shekels
- PA: Palestinian Authority
- PCBS: Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics
- PECDAR: Palestinian Economic Council for Development and Reconstruction
- PECS: Palestinian Expenditure and Consumption Surveys
- PPP: Purchasing Power Parity
- UNRWA: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
- UNSCO: Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator in the Occupied Territories
- WB: West Bank
- WBG: West Bank and Gaza

Conclusion

The report emphasizes the importance of economic growth, employment opportunities, and effective social safety nets in reducing poverty in the WBG.
It highlights the need for policies that support long-term development, including strengthening the private sector and improving the targeting and efficiency of social programs.
The report also calls for a more integrated and coordinated approach to social protection, especially for the working poor and the elderly.

Annexes

Annex 1.1: Households and census surveys used for poverty estimation.
Annex 1.2: Econometric results from the analysis of poverty data.
Annex 2: Average wage rates and job creation in the WBG.
Annex 3: Methodology for estimating local poverty rates.
Annex 4: Impact of recent closures on poverty in the WBG.

Authors and Contributors

Vice President: Jean-Louis Sarbib
Country Director: Nigel Roberts
Chief Economist and Sector Director: Mustapha Nabli
Task Team Leader: Sarosh Sattar
Peer Reviewers: Drs. Radwan Shaban and Giovanna Prennushi
World Bank Team: Claus Pram Astrup, Sébastien Dessus, Jennifer Keller, and Sarosh Sattar
Administrative Assistance: Isabelle Chaal
Support from PCBS: Dr. Hasan Abu-Libdeh and Jawad Al-Saleh