Search Results (96)

This article presents a new evaluation and analysis of the five censuses undertaken at the initiative of philanthropist Sir Moses Montefiore among the Jewish population of Palestine/the Land of Israel between 1839 and 1875. The main purpose of the censuses was to ascertain the composition and needs of a generally poor Jewish population in order to better provide to its welfare. The information collected concerned basic demographic characteristics, countries of origin—namely along the main divide of Ashkenazi and Sephardi/Mizrahi Jews—and periods of immigration, social composition, and religiosity. By combining the different censuses into an integrated database, the authors are able to show changes intervening over time not only regarding the aggregate population, but also concerning individual and household profiles. The data aggregation allows us to better understanding the material conditions of the Jewish population and to outline with greater accuracy the relationship between socio-cultural communities and socio-economic stratification. The analysis unveiled the patterns of Jewish immigration all along the surveyed period and its variations by size and by countries of origin. These data provide important evidence concerning the overall Jewish presence in the Land of Israel and demonstrate that immigration was a significant factor well before the formal beginning of Aliyah in the early 1880s. No such analysis of the whole set of Montefiore censuses had been performed previously. The findings will prove very useful to historians and social scientists in their further investigation of the area and its populations in the 19th century. Full article

This study investigates the economic welfare of refugees and host communities in Kenya, utilizing bi-monthly panel data collected from May 2020 to May 2022. The analysis employs a fixed effect model, which effectively captures the nuances of welfare differences between urban and camp refugees. The key findings reveal that income and economic participation are critical determinants of welfare, with urban refugees exhibiting greater sensitivity to income fluctuations compared to their camp counterparts. Larger household sizes negatively impact welfare, while education levels and gender dynamics play pivotal roles. This study emphasizes the need for tailored interventions for economic empowerment, particularly for women-headed households, and highlights the importance of partnerships between NGOs and local governments. Overall, this research enhances the understanding of refugee welfare in Kenya and provides actionable policy suggestions aimed at promoting equity and integration. Full article

The decline in the young population in rural areas has led to a shortage of skilled labor in agriculture. While the use of technology and capital is often suggested as a solution, it may not be sufficient, especially with the aging rural population. The goal of this study was to examine the factors influencing young people’s decisions to stay in agriculture, and propose solutions. On the other hand, this study presents policy recommendations aimed at strengthening implementation tools for sustainable development and revitalizing global partnerships under SDG 17. Data were collected through surveys with 2398 young individuals aged 15–29 across 27 rural settlements in Turkey. A binary logit regression model was used to analyze the probability of young people remaining in agriculture. The results show that, similar to studies in developing economies, young men were more likely to stay in agriculture than young women. Additionally, having personal income or assets, as well as larger land and livestock holdings in the household, increased the likelihood of staying in agriculture. Conversely, migration from households and higher education levels decreased the probability. The study emphasizes the need for projects that improve the welfare of rural youth. Economic development alone is insufficient; policies integrating agricultural and social factors, including family dynamics, could be more effective in ensuring youth retention in agriculture and supporting sustainable agricultural production. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the challenges faced by children in Malaysia, particularly in terms of poverty and hardship. This has led to concerns about the long-term impact on children’s welfare, particularly in terms of educational and economic inequalities. The multidimensional nature of poverty is often overlooked in public policy discussions, and most countries use National Multidimensional Poverty Indices (MPIs) to define child poverty levels within a nation. This article aims to compare the results of a child-specific Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) with those of a household-specific MPI, considering the uncertainty surrounding the capacity of Household MPIs to accurately identify multidimensionally impoverished children. This study, conducted in Pahang, Malaysia, uses survey data to examine the multidimensional child poverty status and its dynamic changes. The modified child poverty headcount ratio, using the Alkire–Foster methodology, evaluates both the traditional headcount ratio of child poverty and the mean level of deprivation among disadvantaged children. The results indicate low poverty rates in Pahang and its districts. Increased policy attention has been called for due to rising unemployment among parents and the increasing number of bereaved children due to the pandemic. Full article

Background/Objectives: In recent years, despite growing awareness of child poverty in Japan, research examining its impact on the daily lives of children and their families within schools and communities remains limited. This study aims to clarify the extent of child poverty and associated issues in A City, Tokyo, through qualitative research conducted as part of the Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) process. Methods: Twelve research participants were selected, including Vice Principals of schools, Community and Child Welfare Officers, and other stakeholders involved in supporting economically disadvantaged households raising children. A focus group discussion (FGD) was conducted on 16 October 2021 to examine the current state of child poverty in A City and local initiatives addressing the issue. Data were analyzed using a qualitative descriptive approach. Results: Three categories emerged from the analysis: (1) Children Disadvantaged by Their Family’s Financial Situation, (2) Challenges in Supporting Financially Struggling Families in Schools and Communities, and (3) the Necessity of Establishing Comprehensive Systems to Support Families. These findings highlight the complex challenges schools and communities face in supporting economically disadvantaged families. Conclusions: Addressing child poverty in A City requires strengthening collaboration between the education sector and community stakeholders, enhancing early detection of poverty-related issues, and establishing comprehensive support systems for timely intervention. However, cultural norms in Japan, such as the reluctance to impose a burden on others, might create barriers to seeking assistance. To overcome these challenges, CBPR is expected to play a key role in fostering networks among children, parents, and support providers. Full article

Irrigation plays a crucial role in enhancing food production, increasing land productivity, and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Solar pumps and water harvesting ponds have emerged as promising technologies for sustainable agriculture for smallholders in SSA and beyond. The socio-economic impacts of these systems are less studied in the existing literature. This study examined the agricultural productivity of solar pump and water harvesting irrigation technologies and their impacts on income and food security among smallholder farmers in the Central Rift Valley, Lake Hawassa, and Upper Awash sub-basin areas in Ethiopia. Data were collected from 161 farming households that were selected randomly from woredas where solar pump and water harvesting pond irrigation systems had been implemented. The sample size was determined using the power calculation method. Bio-physical observation and measurements were also conducted at field levels. The benefit–cost ratio (BCR) and net water value (NWV) from the use of solar pump and water harvesting pond irrigations were analyzed to assess the viability of these systems. The household food consumption score (HFCS) and household dietary diversity score (HDDS) were calculated to measure food security, while the revenue from crop production was used to measure crop income. An endogenous switching regression model was applied to address the endogeneity nature of the adoption of the irrigation technologies. The counterfactual analysis, specifically the Average Treatment Effect on the Treated (ATT), was used to evaluate the impacts of the irrigation technologies on income and food security. Results indicate that the ATT of crop income, HFCS, and HDDS are positive and statistically significant, illustrating the role of these irrigation systems in enhancing smallholder farmers’ welfare. Moreover, smallholder farmers’ solar pump irrigation systems were found to be economically viable for few crops, with a BCR greater than 1.0 and an NWV ranging from 0.21 to 1.53 USD/m³. It was also found that bundling agricultural technologies with solar pump irrigation systems leads to enhanced agricultural outputs and welfare. The sustainable adoption and scale-up of these irrigation systems demand addressing technical and financial constraints, as well as input and output market challenges. Full article

Balancing ecological conservation and economic development is a significant global challenge, particularly in developing countries where rich natural resources often coincide with impoverished areas. This study used the Yunhe Terrace as a case, integrating remote sensing data and statistical analysis to quantify the ecosystem asset value and its changes before and after ecological conservation efforts. Additionally, we assessed the nonmaterial service value and conducted a questionnaire survey to explore the impact of nonmaterial service value on the socio-economic development of local residents. The key findings are as follows: (1) The ecosystem assets of the Yunhe Terrace include four main types: forests, grasslands, wetlands, and cultivated land. In 2020, the Yunhe Terrace ecosystem was primarily composed of forest (56.79%) and cultivated land (36.61%), showing a balance between natural and modified landscapes. (2) The monetary value of ecosystem assets was calculated based on the economic net benefits of ecosystem assets over their expected useful lifespan (20 years in this study). The value of the Yunhe Terrace ecosystem before and after it became a scenic spot was assessed. Results showed that the total value of ecosystem assets increased from 265 million CNY to 523 million CNY over a 20-year period, representing an increase of 257 million CNY. (3) The value of nonmaterial services, represented here by net revenues from eco-tourism, was calculated from 2018 to 2022, covering the period before and after ecological conservation efforts began in 2019. Results showed the value of nonmaterial services rose from 3.07 million CNY in 2018 to 8.90 million CNY in 2022, a growth of 189.77% after ecological conservation. (4) Field surveys and questionnaire analysis of stakeholders’ income sources suggest that ecological conservation and recreational development in the Yunhe Terrace ecosystem have increased household income in terms of both the number of income sources and monetary value. This study demonstrates that ecological conservation and tourism can enhance household welfare, contributing to a better understanding of the dynamics between conservation and economic development. Full article

Mainstreaming gender issues in a demographically divided setting remains a critical component in policy frameworks and project designs. The focus of this study revolves around male- and female-headed households’ engagement in business operations, with an extended effect on household welfare. This study uses Malawi’s Integrated Household Survey 5, and answers two research questions: Are there any determinants of household engagement in non-farm businesses in rural and urban areas of Malawi? And is there any impact of gender differentials in household engagements in non-farm business operations on household welfare in rural and urban areas of Malawi? This study notes that male-managed non-farm SMEs had better profits compared with their female counterparts, as described by the Probit and the Oaxaca two-fold decomposition models. Mediation analysis was later used to establish the impact of the gender differentials using profits as the mediating variable. In general, females were found to be better off, but the benefits were insignificant in reducing the general rural–urban gap. This study recommends the provision of support towards credit structures for rural households and women-headed households; improved financial and business literacy for increased engagement in business operations and reduced poverty; and support towards advocacy of gender inclusion in economic empowerment approaches. Full article

Babesia caballi is a tick-borne hemoparasite that causes equine piroplasmosis. It has a significant economic impact, decreasing performance and affecting animal welfare. This study aimed to identify B. caballi DNA in the blood of horses from households in the southwestern and western regions of Romania. We included 310 animals, from which blood was collected via EDTA. To test the samples for the B. caballi parasite genome, we used real-time PCR and conventional PCR. The prevalence of B. caballi was 5.81% (18/310) in apparently healthy horses, suggesting that this parasite is enzootic in the regions studied, although veterinarians did not indicate any symptoms resembling clinical babesiosis. In Romania, there are insufficient epidemiologic data on equine babesiosis, and the results of the present study suggest the need for further investigations into the dynamics of transmission and to identify potential prevention and control strategies. Full article

Women’s education and empowerment have engaged the interest of policymakers and academics for many years. We employ individual-level data from Ghana and Uganda in this paper to offer a comparative analysis of the impact of women’s education and empowerment on six household welfare indicators: child labor, child school enrollment, female labor force participation, fertility rate, household food expenditure, and nutrition intake. Comparing the two countries is insightful due to their distinct socio-economic structures and cultural contexts, which might influence the dynamics of women’s empowerment differently. The study utilizes the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Instrumental Variables (IV) regressions and provides a battery of robustness tests. The empirical results show that in a household, the woman’s and man’s education levels are significant determinants of household welfare. However, contrary to common assumptions, the woman’s education does not have a stronger effect than the man’s, and her relative bargaining position has negligible effects on the welfare indicators studied, at least for the cases of Ghana and Uganda. Further sensitivity checks support these findings, suggesting that female education can improve household welfare, but its impact may not necessarily operate through enhanced bargaining power within the household. Full article

Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) makes up a traditional characteristic industry with ecological significance in the Lüliang Mountain of middle reaches of the Yellow River (LMMRYR). However, low economic efficiency has reduced local farm households’ willingness to continue jujube cultivation, threatening the sustainable maintenance and development of jujube forests and the ecological environment. In response, Lüliang City implemented a technological innovation program, that is, the Jujube Forest High Grafting and Optimization Program (JFHGOP), in 2018. Based on survey data from 302 local farm households, an empirical analysis using propensity score matching and ordinary least squares methods revealed that the program significantly enhanced the economic, ecological, and social benefits for participating farm households, improving their overall welfare. Robustness tests confirmed these findings, and a heterogeneity analysis showed varied impacts across different dimensions. The program improved welfare through government support and cooperatives’ assistance. To further promote green development and farm households’ welfare, recommendations include advancing forestry innovation technology, supporting small farm households with policy, capital, and technology, optimizing subsidy mechanisms, supporting new business entities, and promoting cooperation and benefit-sharing among stakeholders. Full article

Public debt plays a major role in financing projects that support economic growth and sustainable development. As governments may choose between domestic and external borrowing, a comprehensive assessment of their effects would support this choice. Our study provides an integrative view of economic and social outcomes and compares, through externalities, the impacts of external and domestic public debt as methods of financing development, with a focus on the Cameroonian economy. Utilizing a dynamic computable general equilibrium (CGE) model and a microsimulation analysis, we find that domestic debt has more advantages for Cameroon compared to external debt, as it increases the large-scale economic impact by improving household welfare, boosting GDP growth, and progressively reducing poverty and inequality. It is therefore recommended that the Cameroonian government focus on increasing the use of domestic debt as a method of financing development by implementing policies that support domestic saving and promote the development of domestic debt markets. Full article

Sustainability requires that policy makers be able to use market signals to implement energy and environmental policy and that energy consumers respond rationally to these signals. Therefore, it is essential to understand how consumers’ responses to market signals are formed. We propose a new model to measure behavioral efficiency in residential electricity consumption derived from the individual householder indirect utility function. This leads to a pair of simultaneous stochastic demand frontiers for electricity consumption (kWh) and power demand (kVA). Each is a function of power demand (standing) charges and energy demand (running) charges together with the net income after demand charges, the stock of appliances and household characteristics. We estimate the model using two samples of household responses, each of which represents around one percent of the total national population available, and we also pool these samples using pseudo-panel data procedures. We demonstrate how the resulting elasticity and efficiency estimates are related to the theory of behavioral agents from recent developments in behavioral economics. These developments also use the individual indirect utility function to derive propositions based on internality and hyperbolic discounting. The econometric estimates permit the calibration of the individual welfare effects of policy initiatives using carbon tax and price incentives with behavioral agents. Full article

The conservation of agricultural heritage systems (AHSs) has played a pivotal role in fostering the sustainable development of agriculture and safeguarding farmers’ livelihoods and food security worldwide. This significance is particularly evident in the case of tea AHSs, due to the economic and nutritional value of tea products. Taking the Anxi Tieguanyin Tea Culture System (ATTCS) and Fuding White Tea Culture System (FWTCS) in Fujian Province as examples, this study uses statistical analyses and a multinomial logistic regression model to assess and compare farmer livelihood and food security at the tea AHS sites. The main findings are as follows. First, as the tea industries are at different stages of development, compared with agricultural and non-agricultural part-time households, the welfare level of pure agricultural households is lowest in the ATTCS, while welfare is the highest in the FWTCS. Second, factors such as the area of tea gardens and the number of laborers significantly affect farmers’ livelihood strategies transformation from pure agricultural households to agricultural part-time households in the ATTCS and FWTCS. Third, the high commodity rate of tea products, combined with compound cultivation in tea gardens, provides local people with essential sources of income, food, and nutrients, so as to improve food security in the ATTCS and FWTCS. These findings are essential for designing policies to ensure farmers’ livelihoods and food security through AHSs and other sustainable agriculture. Full article

Over the past few decades, China has undergone the largest and fastest urbanization process in world history. By 2023, Chengdu’s urbanization rate had reached 80.5%, significantly higher than the national average of 66.16%. Studying the urbanization experience of Chengdu is of great significance for optimizing urban planning policies in Chengdu and other cities in China. Although much literature has explored the urbanization process from macro and micro perspectives, studies using a top-down approach to examine urban fringe expansion are relatively scarce. This study first applies the entropy weight method to analyze the spatial-temporal evolution trends of urban development, identifying areas of imbalanced development and prominent issues. Secondly, the K-means machine learning algorithm and nightlight data are used to reconstruct and classify urban regions, and a comparative analysis is conducted with administrative divisions to further identify unreasonable areas in urban spatial distribution and structure. Finally, POI data and the geographical detector method are used to analyze the micro-driving forces in areas of imbalanced development, identifying major limiting factors and solutions. The study found that the gap between urban and rural development in Chengdu is narrowing during the urbanization process, but there is severe differentiation in the second circle of Chengdu, where economic development is accelerating but residents’ happiness is declining. Moreover, analysis based on urban nightlight data and land-use data reveals that the expansion areas on the urban-rural fringe are mainly concentrated in the second circle of Chengdu. Micro-level driving factor analysis found that the western region of the second circle has many but small urban settlements, with a dense road network but scattered functional areas. The eastern region has inefficient and extensive use of construction land. Additionally, the mismatch between student status and household registration has resulted in relatively lagging educational resource development, and high entry barriers have hindered the progress of urbanization, leading to low per capita welfare expenditure. These reasons are the main factors causing the decline in residents’ happiness, and this impact shows significant differences at different temporal and spatial scales. Encouraging innovation in research and development or education can serve as a long-term and effective driving force for promoting sustainable urbanization. This study provides valuable insights for scientifically planning sustainable urban development and promoting the urbanization process. Full article