This paper critically reviews the debate on pro poor growth. Using new data that focuses on long run spells of growth and poverty reduction we demonstrate that poverty outcomes differ widely relative to the overall rate of growth across regions and countries. We also find that in a number of countries long run growth spells have been associated with increases in poverty. From this evidence we conclude that economic growth alone does not guarantee sustained poverty reduction. For “pro-poor growth” to take place policies must be both pro-growth and pro-poor.
