Millennium Development Goals: Impact on national strategies and spending

Abstract

This study reviews the post‐2005 national development strategies of 50 countries from diverse income groups, geographical locations, human development tiers and official development assistance (ODA) levels to assess Millennium Development Goal (MDG) absorption into development planning. Reviewing Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) and non‐PRSP national strategies, the majority of the development plans have either adopted the MDGs as planning tools or ‘localized’ them in a meaningful way, using diverse adaptation strategies. A high correlation is detected between the income group, PRSP status and ODA reliance of countries, and their propensity to incorporate MDGs in their planning instruments. However, MDG alignment is not coterminous with greater pro‐poor or MDG‐oriented policies. Countries that have not integrated MDGs into their national plans were as likely to allocate government funds to social sectors as MDG aligners.

How can countries improve human development? Four distinct national planning strategies and the challenges for human development ahead

“…The cases provide “useful variation” (Seawright & Gerring, 2008, p. 296) based on the distinctive approaches to human development as demonstrated by their national planning strategies. Our study expands on other studies that have compared national planning strategies (e.g., Chimhowu et al, 2019; Seyedsayamdost, 2018), contributing to the international scholarship on both national planning and human development.…”

“…Social opportunities that are important for private life and facilitate the participation of individuals in political and economic activities. Such opportunities have been challenged by mutually reinforcing changes such as globalization, liberalization processes, and financial crises (Peet & Hartwick, 2015; Seyedsayamdost, 2018). These processes have fostered the delocalization of companies and investments and have rendered the employability of workers more flexible, informal, and uncertain (particularly of women and unskilled workers), limiting their access to social benefits, training, collective bargaining, and jobs (Nattrass & Seekings, 2018; Pogge, 2004).…”

The Adoption of the Multidimensional Poverty Index in Developing Asia: Implications for Social Program Targeting and Inequality Reduction

“…It is well-acknowledged that global goal setting can have a profound impact on national strategies for poverty and inequality reduction. During the first decade of the new millennium, by way of introducing Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs), national development strategies incorporated the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) into development planning (Seyedsayamdost 2018). In some instances, even non-PRSP national strategies also responded to MDGs, though the adaptation strategies differ by country context.…”

Poverty Reduction During 1990-2013: Did Millennium Development Goals Adoption and State Capacity Matter?

“…3 Adoption of MDGs is also likely to have improved the targeting and flow of official development assistance (ODA), ensuring that aid emphasizes human development and/or is disproportionately allocated to countries that need to make the most progress on the MDGs (Addison, Niño-Zarazúa, & Tarp, 2015). Moreover, MDGs adoption has influenced national development plans, leading to the introduction of Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (see Seyedsayamdost, 2017). Early assessments have shown that these are, on balance, important means for making progress on MDGs (see Booth, 2003) and recent econometric evidence found that the effect of ensuing policies has led to greater reductions in headcount poverty and infant mortality (Elkins, Feeny, & Prentice, 2017).…”