Abstract (EN)

Since the 1994 devaluation, growth has been quite strong in Mali (about 5%), but much weaker in terms of GDP per person (about 2.6%) due to a very high index of fecundity (6.8). Growth is still very unstable, due to a large share of agriculture in GDP (40%) and very sensitive to rainfall and other shocks (locusts, etc.). After a surge after the devaluation, poverty incidence plummeted slightly. Extreme poverty decreased, and growth has been pro-poor to some extend in monetary terms. The analysis of social indicators shows that non-poor benefited more in terms of education, nutrition and health. The high degree of inequality is important for explaining the disappointing results in poverty reduction. The Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) gives priority to investment in education and health supply. In countries like Mali, the likely effect of such policies is questionable, at least in the short or medium run. We propose to focus on the dynamics of poverty alleviation. For promoting the equality of opportunities, redistribution issues should be taken into consideration, but also ways of promoting an increase in production of cereals, and a steady job creation in urban areas.