The African aid trap – are we helping the poorest or the richest?

ABSTRACT

This study discusses whether there is an African aid trap: “Which African countries are we (world citizens) helping – the poorest or the most developed ones?” The estimates prove that the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and the population size of each African country positively influence the amount of aid received by that country. These results stimulate a further discussion: if the donor community is improving (via international aid) established democracies, then, according to these data, the givers are also neglecting the poorest countries.

Keywords:

• international aid
• Africa
• poverty trap

JEL Classification:

• F35
• P33
• P45

Additional information

Notes on contributors

P. Reis Mourao

NIPE (Research Unit on Economic Policies/University of Minho) and Department of Economics (University of Minho); Department of Economics/Economics and Management School; University of Minho; 4700 Braga, Portugal