The Effect of Social Expenditures on Poverty: An Empirical Investigation

Öz

The purpose of this study is to identify how and in which direction social expenditures, carried out in the struggle with poverty in Turkey, affect poverty problem. In this context, social spending and poverty rate data of Statistical Territorial Units (26 regions) for the years 2004-2011, were analyzed with static panel data analysis methods. According to the results of the analysis, as the share of social expenditures in gross value added increases, the rate of poverty decreases. Similar results were also observed for sub components of social expenditure such as education, social security and social assistance expenditures. Findings obtained from this study and recommendations in line with the findings are expected to contribute the social policy development process. In addition, the quantitative analysis of the relationship between poverty rate and social expenditures of Turkey exclusively, is expected to provide an important contribution to the literature.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Keywords: Social Expenditures
• Poverty
• Static Panel Data Analysis

Sosyal Harcamaların Yoksulluk Üzerine Etkileri: Ampirik Bir İnceleme

Öz

Bu çalışmanın amacı, Türkiye’de yoksullukla mücadele sürecinde gerçekleştirilen sosyal harcamaların yoksulluk problemini nasıl ve hangi yönde etkilediğini tespit edebilmektir. Bu bağlamda İstatistiki Bölge Birimleri (26 bölge) temel alınarak derlenen 2004-2011 yıllarına ait sosyal harcama ve yoksulluk oranı verileri statik panel veri analizi yöntemleri ile incelenmiştir. Analiz sonuçlarına göre sosyal harcamaların gayri safi katma değer içerisindeki payı arttıkça yoksulluk oranının azaldığı görülmektedir. Benzer sonuçlara sosyal harcamaların alt bileşenleri olan eğitim harcamaları ve sosyal güvenlik ile sosyal yardım harcamaları kullanılarak da ulaşılmıştır. Çalışmada elde edilen bulgular ve bu bulgular paralelinde geliştirilen önerilerin sosyal politikaların oluşum sürecine katkı sağlaması beklenmektedir. Ayrıca yoksulluk oranı ile sosyal harcamalar arasındaki ilişkinin nicel olarak Türkiye özelinde bölgesel bir analize tabi tutulması vesilesiyle literatüre de önemli katkı sağlanacağı düşünülmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Sosyal Harcamalar
• Yoksulluk
• Statik Panel Veri Analizi

Kaynakça

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