What's the Government's Attitude to Poverty?

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Economists refer to the brazilian state as robin hood in reverse. More than four fifths of transfers are pension benefits. Only two and a half % of those go to the poorest kintile, while the richest gets more than half. The government has yet to touch tax braks for privileged industries and the rich,. It also let certain groups like police and my officers, keep their generous pensions.

Hong Kong’s GDP report released today reflects the squeeze that enormous protests at home and economic headwinds on the mainland have put on the territory—and that was before the coronavirus outbreak. Inequality in Brazil is bad and getting worse; we ask why the government is chipping away at a much-praised social safety-net. And a look at the self-help craze gripping Ethiopia. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/radiooffer