Economic and Social Characteristics of the Poor (Aid Recipients) in the Governorate of Ma'an

Abstract

The study handles the reality of the poor (aid recipients) in Ma'an Governorate to enhance policy making of poverty alleviation. It employs primary survey data gathered from poor in the governorate. The study finds that insufficiency of family income is the main determinant of poverty. In addition to income and education, the poor emphasize inflation and unemployment as causing their poverty. The study finds among heads of the poor families: high illiteracy, amounting to 65%; 58% of them are females; high percentage of them are elderly and some are disabled; those under 40, who may be utilized and rehabilitated to improve their household's economic circumstances, form 21%; 95% of them have health insurance and 81% are satisfied with health services provided. Interestingly, the study shows that 62% of the poor families in this governorate believe that governmental monetary transfers do not cover more than 50 % of their living needs. Only 14 % of the poor reveal that those transfers are dispensable if they find employment. The study finds that the the poor (aid recipients) do possess certain productive skills that can be augmented and utilized to combat poverty.