Example 3: Descriptive analysis to improve the targeting of a social assistance programme in Mexico

A National Food Assistance programme has been implemented in Mexico for decades.
In 1994, a descriptive analysis of the levels of incomes of the beneficiaries of the programme showed that the programme was not very effective at targeting the poorest households.
After active measures were taken, the same analysis showed that in 2000 a much greater proportion of the programme’s beneficiaries were indeed those with the lowest incomes.

Source: Levy, S. (2006). Progress against Poverty. Sustaining Mexico’s POP Programme. Washington, DC: Brookings Institution Press.
Between 1994 and 2000, the Government of Mexico improved the targeting of the Food Oriented Social Assistance programme:

• In 1994, less than 10% of the beneficiaries belonged to the lowest income decile.
• In 2000, more than 30% of the beneficiaries belonged to the lowest income decile.