Level of Inequality and Welfare Change across Vulnerable Groups in the Emerging Regional States of Ethiopia: The Atkinson-Gini Social Welfare Analysis

Economic growth in Ethiopia, particularly in developing regions, would follow fair income distributions and lower inequality that cannot affect social welfare. In line with the adopted pro-poor fiscal policies since 1995-96, the study looked at how price, tax reforms, and income growth affected social welfare. The study used survey data from the Ethiopian Central Statistical Agency by applying the Atkinson-Gini Index to estimate the level of inequality and social welfare of vulnerable groups. From the analysis, Ethiopia's economic growth was inflationary growth dominate. Price rises increased inequality and reduced consumption than tax reform. The findings invalidated the aim of income growth to mitigate the inflationary impact on welfare increase. Finally, the study found that providing social welfare support to these groups did not increase their ability to withstand the risks of declining welfare. Thus, the study recommends that income redistribution measures aided by pro-poor policies be implemented with caution. Keywords: Inequality, risk aversion, social welfare, vulnerable social groups JEL Codes: D11, D63, D81.