Economic impacts of conditional cash transfer programmes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The results of a systematic review of evidence on the effects of conditional cash transfer (CCT) programmes on household economic outcomes are presented. Out of 1076 original articles found through electronic and handsearches, 46 randomised and quasi-experimental impact evaluations were eligible for the review. The authors used statistical meta-analysis and analysis of programme mechanisms to explore heterogeneity in impacts between and within programmes. They conclude that, for households which benefited from those CCT programmes which have been rigorously evaluated, child labour decreased, particularly for boys, household consumption and investment increased and consumption smoothing improved. In addition, there were limited effects on girls’ labour and mixed effects on adult labour supply in beneficiary households. Limited evidence has been collected on locality-wide impacts in beneficiary communities.