Understanding poverty heterogeneity in Nicaragua: Essays on aid dependency, financial segmentation, gender segregation and climate variability

Contains fulltext : 205880.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)Radboud University, 16 september 2019Promotores : Ruben, R., Dijkstra, A.G.175 p

Segmentation, access to finance constraints and the credit monopolistic power of financial institutions in Nicaragua

Item does not contain fulltextAccess to finance has been the focus of significant interest in recent years as there are warning signs suggesting that lack of access to credit has an adverse effect on growth and poverty alleviation. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that access to finance is positively correlated with productivity and competitiveness; therefore, it is an important consideration in terms of the poverty trap evident in developing countries. Using endogenous and exogenous variables from data derived from the Living Standards Measurement Study (LSMS 2005), this paper examines a conceptual background on the basis of new statistical evidence concerning access to credit and segmentation in Nicaragua. The core contribution of this study lies in the critical revision of the main constraints in terms of increasing financial access for the broad range of Nicaraguan households. Likewise, our analysis produces new empirical indications that challenge the monopolistic power that financial institutions have in this country.23 p

Gender segregation and income differences in Nicaragua

Contains fulltext : 204309.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)Despite having higher average education levels, Nicaraguan women still earn much less than men. Furthermore, the country has one of the highest levels of occupational gender segregation in Latin America. This paper aims to explain the gender income gap in Nicaragua, taking into account individual characteristics, engagement in specific occupations and sectors, and geographical location. Using a multilevel framework, the study finds that while a considerable part of the income gap can be explained by women's employment in occupations and sectors with low remuneration, another substantial part of this gap is attributable to the prevalence of patriarchal gender norms - and thus cannot be explained by human capital factors. These results show that understanding labor market segregation is vital for comprehending the perseverance of the gender income gap, and they further imply that women's progress in breaching the gender stereotypes in Nicaragua is still limited.27 p