Socioeconomic conditions of the recipients of conditional cash transfers. Case of Bono de Desarrollo Humano

Abstract

The Bono de Desarrollo Humano is a conditional cash transfer program aimed at combating poverty and extreme poverty that has been implemented in Ecuador since 1998. In this context, the objective of this article is to describe the socioeconomic condition of the beneficiaries of the Bono de Desarrollo Humano and to discuss its contribution to improving the standard of living of low-income families. For this purpose, an exploratory descriptive study was carried out, using as a data collection instrument a survey applied to a sample of 195 beneficiaries of the Bono de Desarrollo Humano in the urban parish of El Valle, canton Loja-Ecuador. The results show that 34.4% of the beneficiaries were mothers between 26 and 35 years of age, who have up to three family responsibilities and have only passed primary education. It was also determined that beneficiaries use this income to pay for basic services, food, and rent. In general, expenses exceed income, so the poverty situation cannot be overcome.