The cross-country evidence also suggests that there can be large variation in poverty reduction for the same growth rate. It means that some countries have more pro-poor growth than other countries. What explains these differences? How can we measure the degree of pro-poorness of growth? Under what circumstances should governments pursue growth-maximizing policies or focus on direct poverty reduction policies? When are government policies pro-poor (or not propoor)? How can we evaluate the pro-poorness of government policies? How can government policies be reformed to achieve a maximum reduction in poverty?
These are the broad questions that are of great importance from the point view formulating poverty reduction strategies. This paper attempts to touch upon these questions using the unit record data from four countries in Asia. The countries selected are Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Republic of Korea (henceforth Korea), Thailand and the Philippines.
