Guiding Factors of Fund Transfer in Welfare Programs in Brazil

Abstract

There is intense debate among scholars about the targeting of welfare programs. Some authors point out the focus downside of these programs in Brazil, where isolated action policies have prevailed over of the universalizing policies, while others argue the importance of targeted policies. Accordingly, the present study was conducted to verify the existence of guiding socioeconomic factors of distribution of public funds for welfare programs in Brazil. We sought theoretical basis in the characteristics of the Brazilian of Welfare Protection and in the description of various welfare programs implemented by the government. For the analysis, we estimated a multiple linear regression with panel data for the 27 Brazilian states, with a study period between 2004 and 2006. The results indicate the predominance of the “Bolsa Família” program in funds for welfare programs, leading it to the main welfare program in Brazil. Another important aspect concerns the identification of guiding socio-economic factors of fund transfer to welfare programs, which are: population, poverty levels, life expectancy at birth, unemployment rate, gross mortality rate, illiteracy rate and enrollment in elementary school.