Abstract:

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.

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