Some Characteristics of Pro-poor Growth, and Policy Implications for Mozambique

INTRODUCTION: Nearly all growth benefits the poor, but some types of growth benefit the poor much more than other types (Bruno et al. 1998, Timmer 1997, Datt and Ravallion 1998, Timmer 1996, Ravallion and Huppi 1989, Ravallion and Chen 1989). As a result, the choices that governments make in pursuing economic growth matter a great deal to the impact of any resulting growth on poverty. This short paper first identifies several key characteristics of pro-poor growth, and then briefly discusses the direct and indirect contributions of growth to poverty reduction. Finally, it suggests the types of strategies that are most likely to result in propoor growth in economies such as those found in much of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with a special emphasis on Mozambique.