Oliver Fiala
@oliverfiala.bsky.social
Senior Research Adviser at Save the Children UK. Working on child poverty and inequality. All views my own.
Pinned
Oliver Fiala
@oliverfiala.bsky.social
· Apr 7
Who benefits from public spending? New evidence on pro-poor investments
Who benefits from public spending? New World Bank data on pro-poor social spending across 133 countries shows wide variation in how much education, health, and transfers reach the poorest 20%.
blogs.worldbank.org
Are public policies in education, health and social protection actually benefiting the poorest people? SDG indicator 1.b.1 is helping us to measure this, estimating how ‘pro-poor’ public spending actually is. Read more in our new World Bank Data Blog:
blogs.worldbank.org/en/opendata/...
blogs.worldbank.org/en/opendata/...
Reposted by Oliver Fiala
WHAT WORKS TO REDUCE CHILD POVERTY?
.
Listen to my insightful conversation with colleagues Global Coalition to End Child Poverty
.
👉 @oliverfiala.bsky.social #SavetheChildren
👉 Kath Ford #YoungLives
👉 Charlotte Bilo and Sola Engilbertsdottir @unicef.org
.
poverty-unpacked.org/2025/06/29/e...
.
Listen to my insightful conversation with colleagues Global Coalition to End Child Poverty
.
👉 @oliverfiala.bsky.social #SavetheChildren
👉 Kath Ford #YoungLives
👉 Charlotte Bilo and Sola Engilbertsdottir @unicef.org
.
poverty-unpacked.org/2025/06/29/e...
June 30, 2025 at 12:42 PM
WHAT WORKS TO REDUCE CHILD POVERTY?
.
Listen to my insightful conversation with colleagues Global Coalition to End Child Poverty
.
👉 @oliverfiala.bsky.social #SavetheChildren
👉 Kath Ford #YoungLives
👉 Charlotte Bilo and Sola Engilbertsdottir @unicef.org
.
poverty-unpacked.org/2025/06/29/e...
.
Listen to my insightful conversation with colleagues Global Coalition to End Child Poverty
.
👉 @oliverfiala.bsky.social #SavetheChildren
👉 Kath Ford #YoungLives
👉 Charlotte Bilo and Sola Engilbertsdottir @unicef.org
.
poverty-unpacked.org/2025/06/29/e...
Reposted by Oliver Fiala
📣 PODCAST ALERT 🎧
.
Time for another round up of news on all things #poverty
.
👉 new publications #childpoverty #socialprotection
👉 step-by-step guide on #socialchange
👉call for submissions for #poverty #homelessness anthology
.
Check it out: poverty-unpacked.org/2025/06/01/e...
.
Time for another round up of news on all things #poverty
.
👉 new publications #childpoverty #socialprotection
👉 step-by-step guide on #socialchange
👉call for submissions for #poverty #homelessness anthology
.
Check it out: poverty-unpacked.org/2025/06/01/e...
Episode #45: Poverty Unpacked – May chat
Time for a new round up of news on all things #poverty! Much to report this month, see full list of items and links to resources below. Two reports from the Global Coalition to End Child Poverty Wh…
poverty-unpacked.org
June 1, 2025 at 6:12 PM
📣 PODCAST ALERT 🎧
.
Time for another round up of news on all things #poverty
.
👉 new publications #childpoverty #socialprotection
👉 step-by-step guide on #socialchange
👉call for submissions for #poverty #homelessness anthology
.
Check it out: poverty-unpacked.org/2025/06/01/e...
.
Time for another round up of news on all things #poverty
.
👉 new publications #childpoverty #socialprotection
👉 step-by-step guide on #socialchange
👉call for submissions for #poverty #homelessness anthology
.
Check it out: poverty-unpacked.org/2025/06/01/e...
Direct transfers is on average the most pro-poor sector. Across countries, 32% of cash and near-cash transfers benefiting the poorest 20%. Unfortunately, in many countries - especially across Africa and some Asian countries - less than 20% of social spending benefits the poorest 20%.
April 30, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Direct transfers is on average the most pro-poor sector. Across countries, 32% of cash and near-cash transfers benefiting the poorest 20%. Unfortunately, in many countries - especially across Africa and some Asian countries - less than 20% of social spending benefits the poorest 20%.
Reposted by Oliver Fiala
As I meet people from aid agencies around the world this week I will be making the case for a radical simplification in how we do aid:
fewer countries,
fewer projects,
radically simpler programs.
It was key takeaway from my time in govt. Read why.
www.cgdev.org/blog/radical...
fewer countries,
fewer projects,
radically simpler programs.
It was key takeaway from my time in govt. Read why.
www.cgdev.org/blog/radical...
Radical Simplification: A Practical Way to Get More Out of Limited Foreign Assistance Budgets
With major cuts to foreign assistance announced or anticipated in the US, the UK, and across the EU, and in the World Bank’s subsidized lending program, we must urgently work to get the most out of sh...
www.cgdev.org
April 21, 2025 at 8:36 PM
As I meet people from aid agencies around the world this week I will be making the case for a radical simplification in how we do aid:
fewer countries,
fewer projects,
radically simpler programs.
It was key takeaway from my time in govt. Read why.
www.cgdev.org/blog/radical...
fewer countries,
fewer projects,
radically simpler programs.
It was key takeaway from my time in govt. Read why.
www.cgdev.org/blog/radical...
Despite its importance, child poverty is underreported in voluntary national reviews (VNRs). Specific data on child poverty, especially multidimensional aspects, are often missing.
www.endchildhoodpoverty.org/publications...
www.endchildhoodpoverty.org/publications...
April 22, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Despite its importance, child poverty is underreported in voluntary national reviews (VNRs). Specific data on child poverty, especially multidimensional aspects, are often missing.
www.endchildhoodpoverty.org/publications...
www.endchildhoodpoverty.org/publications...
Reposted by Oliver Fiala
Important null results in development economics
Despite the bias against publishing null results, they are important for policy, helping to kill bad ideas.
I've highlighted some key examples we have featured on @voxdev.bsky.social: voxdev.org/topic/import...
Despite the bias against publishing null results, they are important for policy, helping to kill bad ideas.
I've highlighted some key examples we have featured on @voxdev.bsky.social: voxdev.org/topic/import...
Important null results in development economics
Despite the bias against publishing null results, they are important for policy, helping to kill bad ideas.
voxdev.org
April 11, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Important null results in development economics
Despite the bias against publishing null results, they are important for policy, helping to kill bad ideas.
I've highlighted some key examples we have featured on @voxdev.bsky.social: voxdev.org/topic/import...
Despite the bias against publishing null results, they are important for policy, helping to kill bad ideas.
I've highlighted some key examples we have featured on @voxdev.bsky.social: voxdev.org/topic/import...
Reposted by Oliver Fiala
Rich Countries Are Exporting Thousands of Tons of Toxic Paint Pigment to Poor Countries
New data from @rorytodd98.bsky.social @rachelbonnifield.bsky.social @cgdev.org and me.
Paper: www.cgdev.org/publication/...
Blog: www.cgdev.org/blog/rich-co...
New data from @rorytodd98.bsky.social @rachelbonnifield.bsky.social @cgdev.org and me.
Paper: www.cgdev.org/publication/...
Blog: www.cgdev.org/blog/rich-co...
April 9, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Rich Countries Are Exporting Thousands of Tons of Toxic Paint Pigment to Poor Countries
New data from @rorytodd98.bsky.social @rachelbonnifield.bsky.social @cgdev.org and me.
Paper: www.cgdev.org/publication/...
Blog: www.cgdev.org/blog/rich-co...
New data from @rorytodd98.bsky.social @rachelbonnifield.bsky.social @cgdev.org and me.
Paper: www.cgdev.org/publication/...
Blog: www.cgdev.org/blog/rich-co...
Are public policies in education, health and social protection actually benefiting the poorest people? SDG indicator 1.b.1 is helping us to measure this, estimating how ‘pro-poor’ public spending actually is. Read more in our new World Bank Data Blog:
blogs.worldbank.org/en/opendata/...
blogs.worldbank.org/en/opendata/...
Who benefits from public spending? New evidence on pro-poor investments
Who benefits from public spending? New World Bank data on pro-poor social spending across 133 countries shows wide variation in how much education, health, and transfers reach the poorest 20%.
blogs.worldbank.org
April 7, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Are public policies in education, health and social protection actually benefiting the poorest people? SDG indicator 1.b.1 is helping us to measure this, estimating how ‘pro-poor’ public spending actually is. Read more in our new World Bank Data Blog:
blogs.worldbank.org/en/opendata/...
blogs.worldbank.org/en/opendata/...
Reposted by Oliver Fiala
Each dot represents 10 people whose lives depend on US foreign aid, just for HIV prevention & treatment.
Without it, 1.6m people could die *per year*.
Without it, 1.6m people could die *per year*.
March 16, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Each dot represents 10 people whose lives depend on US foreign aid, just for HIV prevention & treatment.
Without it, 1.6m people could die *per year*.
Without it, 1.6m people could die *per year*.
Reposted by Oliver Fiala
In Nick Kristof's latest column he draws on new research from @charlesjkenny.bsky.social and @justsand.bsky.social estimating lives saved by US aid.
Read their research here: www.cgdev.org/blog/how-man...
Read their research here: www.cgdev.org/blog/how-man...
March 16, 2025 at 4:13 PM
In Nick Kristof's latest column he draws on new research from @charlesjkenny.bsky.social and @justsand.bsky.social estimating lives saved by US aid.
Read their research here: www.cgdev.org/blog/how-man...
Read their research here: www.cgdev.org/blog/how-man...
Reposted by Oliver Fiala
In an age of populism, how can we ensure that facts & evidence still matter in policymaking & international development?
CSAE Director @gamblingondev.bsky.social joins Trudi Makhaya & @rory-stewart.bsky.social to discuss this in @voxdev.bsky.social's Development Dialogues
voxdev.org/topic/instit...
CSAE Director @gamblingondev.bsky.social joins Trudi Makhaya & @rory-stewart.bsky.social to discuss this in @voxdev.bsky.social's Development Dialogues
voxdev.org/topic/instit...
Development Dialogues: The future of evidence-based policymaking and international development
Is evidence-based policymaking dead? In an age of populism, how can we ensure that facts and evidence still matter in policymaking and international development?
voxdev.org
February 24, 2025 at 1:33 PM
In an age of populism, how can we ensure that facts & evidence still matter in policymaking & international development?
CSAE Director @gamblingondev.bsky.social joins Trudi Makhaya & @rory-stewart.bsky.social to discuss this in @voxdev.bsky.social's Development Dialogues
voxdev.org/topic/instit...
CSAE Director @gamblingondev.bsky.social joins Trudi Makhaya & @rory-stewart.bsky.social to discuss this in @voxdev.bsky.social's Development Dialogues
voxdev.org/topic/instit...
Reposted by Oliver Fiala
Frustratingly, I once again hear folks in the econ-adjacent, 'aid reform' camp going soft on PEPFAR -- ready to jetisson billions in life-saving HIV aid to get peanuts for innovation, incubator funds and the like.
PEPFAR works. We're winning the war on AIDS. Hold the line.
PEPFAR works. We're winning the war on AIDS. Hold the line.
In the wake of the turmoil around PEPFAR funding, we're re-reading @justsand.bsky.social's piece on how economists got Africa's AIDS epidemic wrong - and why it's so important that it continues
asteriskmag.com/issues/05/pe...
asteriskmag.com/issues/05/pe...
PEPFAR and the Costs of Cost-Benefit Analysis—Asterisk
In the early aughts, economists said it was a bad use of money to send antiretroviral drugs to treat HIV in low-income countries. Twenty years later, we can ask why they got it wrong.
asteriskmag.com
February 4, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Frustratingly, I once again hear folks in the econ-adjacent, 'aid reform' camp going soft on PEPFAR -- ready to jetisson billions in life-saving HIV aid to get peanuts for innovation, incubator funds and the like.
PEPFAR works. We're winning the war on AIDS. Hold the line.
PEPFAR works. We're winning the war on AIDS. Hold the line.
Reposted by Oliver Fiala
Universal free primary education swept the globe in the '90s & '00s.
Why not universal free school meals too?
Gordon Brown & Kevin Watkins report on the growing coalition pushing school meals worldwide: from Lula to the WFP and Ford Foundation:
www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/f...?
Why not universal free school meals too?
Gordon Brown & Kevin Watkins report on the growing coalition pushing school meals worldwide: from Lula to the WFP and Ford Foundation:
www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/f...?
School Meals Provide Food for Thought – and Fuel for Development | by Gordon Brown & Kevin Watkins - Project Syndicate
Gordon Brown & Kevin Watkins tout universal nutrition programs in lower-income countries to mitigate a lost decade for poor children.
www.project-syndicate.org
January 18, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Universal free primary education swept the globe in the '90s & '00s.
Why not universal free school meals too?
Gordon Brown & Kevin Watkins report on the growing coalition pushing school meals worldwide: from Lula to the WFP and Ford Foundation:
www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/f...?
Why not universal free school meals too?
Gordon Brown & Kevin Watkins report on the growing coalition pushing school meals worldwide: from Lula to the WFP and Ford Foundation:
www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/f...?
Reposted by Oliver Fiala
"the relative shift of power towards the global south is changing the global discourse about the importance of growth"
Super interesting discussion on today's podcast, check it out here ⤵️
Super interesting discussion on today's podcast, check it out here ⤵️
🆕 Rethinking evidence and refocusing on growth in development economics
In this episode of VoxDevTalks, Lant Pritchett (@lsepress.bsky.social) discusses the overreliance on rigorous evidence, and need to focus on economic growth, in development economics: voxdev.org/topic/macroe...
In this episode of VoxDevTalks, Lant Pritchett (@lsepress.bsky.social) discusses the overreliance on rigorous evidence, and need to focus on economic growth, in development economics: voxdev.org/topic/macroe...
January 15, 2025 at 10:05 AM
"the relative shift of power towards the global south is changing the global discourse about the importance of growth"
Super interesting discussion on today's podcast, check it out here ⤵️
Super interesting discussion on today's podcast, check it out here ⤵️
Reposted by Oliver Fiala
New CGD blog alert!
The global extreme poverty line is on its last legs. But the problem is there is no really good alternative to it.
www.cgdev.org/blog/global-...
The global extreme poverty line is on its last legs. But the problem is there is no really good alternative to it.
www.cgdev.org/blog/global-...
The Global Poverty Line: Past, Present and Future
It is easy to forget how young the global poverty line still is. In this blog Ranil Dissanayake explores three sets of challenges in the measurement and use of the international poverty line, and cons...
www.cgdev.org
November 13, 2024 at 11:23 AM
New CGD blog alert!
The global extreme poverty line is on its last legs. But the problem is there is no really good alternative to it.
www.cgdev.org/blog/global-...
The global extreme poverty line is on its last legs. But the problem is there is no really good alternative to it.
www.cgdev.org/blog/global-...