* The World Bank has presented a report on ‘Investing in human capital’ in Paraguay, in which it highlights the country’s inefficient social spending and poor record in human development. Although spending on social services (education, health, and social protection) has been steadily growing, representing 63.3% of government spending in 2016 (11.3% of GDP), human development indicators have not improved accordingly. The World Bank notes that the fragmentation in the provision of social services causes inefficiency and increases costs, and it recommends better integration of services, notably in the provision of healthcare. The report does draw out some successful initiatives, such as the conditional cash transfer programmes Tekoporâ and Adultos Mayores (provided to households in situation of extreme poverty and elderly people without a pension).
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