Jaramillo, M. (2013) The incidence of social spending and taxes in Peru. Working Paper, 9. Washington D.C.: Commitment to Equity, CEQ.

Standard tax and benefit incidence analysis is used to estimate the effects of fiscal policy on poverty and inequality in Peru. Results suggest that the extent of inequality and poverty reduction induced by Peru’s fiscal policy is small. Results also suggest that the small impact is associated with low social spending rather than with inefficient spending. Most social spending components are progressive and overall social spending is also progressive. We find that direct cash transfers are well targeted and are especially effective in reducing extreme poverty. We also find that in-kind transfers are effective in reducing inequality. Finally, direct and indirect taxes have a positive, though small, effect on inequality.