This article presents the findings of a review of the impact of non-contributory cash transfers on individuals and households in low- and middle-income countries, covering the literature of 15 years, from 2000 to 2015. Based on evidence extracted from 165 studies, retrieved through a systematic search and screening process, this article discusses the impact of cash transfers on 35 indicators covering six outcome areas: monetary poverty; education; health and nutrition; savings, investment and production; work; and empowerment. For most of the studies, cash transfers contributed to progress in the selected indicators in the direction intended by policymakers. Despite variations in the size and strength of the underlying evidence base by outcome and indicator, this finding is consistent across all outcome areas. The article also investigates unintended effects of cash transfer receipt, such as potential reductions in adult work effort and increased fertility, finding limited evidence for such unintended effects. Finally, the article highlights gaps in the evidence base and areas which would benefit from additional future research.

Social characteristics Gender, age, disability, etc. of household members within lifecycle of domestic group Assets Capability Multi-dimensional vulnerability Shaped by CT impact pathways Alleviation of credit, liquidity & savings constraints Access to risk sharing networks for economic collaboration, labour, technology, knowledge, inputs VULNERABILITY CONTEXT Multivariate risks creating stresses, shocks, trends, cycles that effect beneficiary households Household Income Consumption, nutrition Investment in education Asset accumulation Savings Labour allocation Improved capability Dignity, self-respect Social networks Changed family relations (+/-) Social inclusion & exclusion (+/-) Economic risk sharing Social respect Local economy Multiplier effects on trade/goods/services Spill over effects to ineligible households Boost in labour markets Creditworthiness Social institutions Gender & care norms Power relations Complementary services & programmes Market access Labour market structure Products Agro-ecological conditions Shaping productivity e.g. food (in)security Land Availability, tenure Formal & informal institutions Savings groups Risk & asset sharing Social support networks Livelihood groups Cash transfer Reliability Targeting Size

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