Table 1.
Main features of cash transfer programs and evaluations
| Malawi | Zambia | |
|---|---|---|
| Program | Social Cash Transfer Program (SCTP) | Multiple Categorical Targeted Grant (MCTG) |
| Implementer | Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare | Ministry of Community Development and Social Services |
| Targeting | Ultra‐poor and labor‐constrained householdsa | Female‐ or elderly‐headed households keeping orphans; households with a disabled member; or special cases (critically vulnerable) |
| Transfer size | Variable by household size and number of children enrolled in school, bimonthly (∼18% of pre‐program consumption)b | Flat transfer of 120 kwacha [ZMW] (US$24), bimonthly (∼21% of pre‐program consumption) |
| Evaluation timeline | 2013–2015 (30 months) | 2011–2013 (36 months) |
| Location (stratification) | Two rural districts: Salima and Mangochi (two traditional authorities in each district) | Two rural districts: Luwingu and Serenje |
| Evaluation design | Cluster randomized‐controlled trial (cRCT); 29 villages (14 assigned to the treatment arm through public lottery) | Cluster randomized‐controlled trial (cRCT); 92 communities (46 assigned to the treatment arm through public lottery) |
| Household sample size | 3,531 | 3,078 |
a
Proxy means test (PMT) was used to target the ultra‐poor. A household is defined as labor constrained if it has a dependency ratio (ratio of “not fit for productive work” to “fit for productive work”) higher than three. “Unfit” household members are those below 19 years of age or above 64 years of age, or those between 19 and 64 years of age who have a chronic illness or disability, or are otherwise unable to work.
b
After May 2015, the transfer size was adjusted up to 23% of average pre‐program consumption.