Conditional and unconditional cash transfer programs: the recent experiences around the world

Cash transfer programs have become the mostpopular government welfare paradigm for many developingcountries in this new millennium. Cash transfer programs run byproviding a small cash transfer to the parents (very often thosebelow the poverty line) could be contingent on certain conditions,such as sending children to school or visiting doctors regularly.Cash transfer programs that have been implemented in manycountries across the world, aim to meet basic humandevelopment targets. In recent times, cash transfer programshave been carried out in 52 countries. This paper summarises theexperiences of some countries with cash transfer programs,analysing and discussing program components and design—suchas, payments mechanisms and beneficing identification, as wellas selecting lessons learned. Also, attention will be given to showthe connectedness between cash transfer programs and genderperspective. This paper will also shed light on cash transferprogram as a mechanism for social inclusion. Finally, the mostcommon criticisms of cash transfer programs will be given. Thispaper attempted to rely on reports and articles, especially by thescholars working on cash transfer programs who have producedseveral studies since 2000. This paper serves as a useful referencefor researchers and academics working on the cash transferprograms