The PROGRESA(OPORTUNIDADES)Program of Mexico and its Impact Evaluation

摘要

Program Description and Benefits PROGRESA (renamed Oportunidades by the Fox administration) is one of the major programsof the Mexican government aimed at developing the human capital of poor households. Targeting itsbenefits directly to the population in extreme poverty in rural areas and marginal urban areas,PROGRESA aims to alleviate current and future poverty levels through cash transfers to mothers inhouseholds. The cash transfers provided are conditioned on regular school attendance and visits tohealth centers. In 2004, PROGRESA covered approximately 5 million families or 25 millionindividuals. PROGRESA's budget of approximately $ 2. 5 billion in 2004 was equivalent to 0.3％ofMexico's GDP.