Urban Poverty Dynamic in Benin: An Entry and Exit Analysis (Dynamique De La Pauvrete Urbaine Au Benin: Une Analyse En Termes D'Entrees Et De Sorties)

Abstract

In order to carry out an analysis of transition in poverty, as well as the determining factors of entry to and exit out of poverty in the urban areas of Benin, this study uses the panel data of 836 households which were constituted based on the official surveys on households living conditions (Elam 96 and 99). The findings reveal that the proportion of households which are poor over a short-term is more important than that of households which are poor over a long-term and that, among households which are poor over a short-term, there are more cases of entry to poverty than cases of exit out of poverty. The determinants of cases of entry into and exit out of poverty have been analyzed based on the multinomial logit model. According to the findings, cases of exit out of poverty are determined by the status of the household head in the labour market, the activity sector, the demographic variables (number of dependents, gender), the ethnic group and the area of residence. The factors which allow entry into poverty are, on their part, relating to the geographical location, the status of household members in the labour market - except for the household head, the demographic factors (size of household, number of adults within the household) and the ethnic group. Education seems to favour long-term non poverty.