Publication

This paper investigates the challenges in moving the policy agenda from an exclusive poverty focus to an ‘inclusive growth’ strategy in Asian middle-income countries (MICs). The focus is on the poor and the vulnerable strata of the middle class, while also paying attention to the specific needs of other disadvantaged groups of society. Three key areas of social inclusiveness in MICs are considered: (i) social and municipal services; (ii) social protection; and (iii) labour market policies. It is argued that governments will need to increase funding in these areas in order to provide more equitable access to economic opportunities and thus achieve a more sustainable and socially inclusive growth pattern.