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Diloá Bailey-Athias

Senior Economist

An Economist with research interests in public policy and development economics. He contributes to our quantitative analysis informing our social policy studies. He recently obtained his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Illinois, USA. He enjoys playing chess and being with his family.

Diloá Bailey-Athias' Work

Book launches featuring Development Pathways team chapter

Today, 1st June 2023, sees the launch of a new book Evidence in Action for Children: The Role of Evidence, Research, and Knowledge to Strengthen Social Protection. The book, published...

Social Security: a pillar of inclusive growth for Kenya? – Executive summary

This study rigorously investigates the relationship between social security and growth, and models returns to GDP from an investment in expanded coverage of universal social security in Kenya.

Targeting Evaluation of the Somalia Shock-Responsive Safety Net for Human Capital Project (SNHCP)

Development Pathways, in partnership with Samuel Hall, conducted a targeting evaluation of the Shock-responsive Safety Net for Human Capital Project (SNHCP). The report finds the SNHCP to be a success in reaching many vulnerable households in challenging environments. By reflecting on these successes and challenges the report provides insights into the lessons learnt for which similar cash transfer programmes can build on in the future.

Addressing the economic crisis of COVID-19 in Asia through social protection

UNDP Asia-Pacific and Development Pathways worked to prepare an analytical background paper on fiscal mechanisms to promote inter-generational equity. However, midway through the project, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. With all Asian economies having been hit hard by the crisis and economic growth falling significantly, Development Pathways conducted additional research and analysis to develop a publication.

Join our events this autumn

As the autumn leaves start to fall and summer winds down in the UK, our team are doing anything but winding down! Over the coming weeks, we are busy speaking...

Strengthening the social contract through child-sensitive social protection: building a case for a Universal Child Benefit in South Asia

Development Pathways is supporting the UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia in generating costing, impact and fiscal space analysis for Universal Child Benefits (UCBs) in South Asian countries.

Evaluating the economic fallout of COVID-19 and applicability of child-sensitive social protection mechanisms in Sri Lanka

Over the course of April to May, Development Pathways has been working closely with UNICEF to analyse the economic fallout of the coronavirus in child-sensitive social protection in Sri Lanka.

Social protection – a situational analysis of persons with disabilities in Cambodia

This report presents an analysis of the challenges faced by persons with disabilities across Cambodia, with a particular focus on income security.

Empowering Cambodians with disabilities through social protection

Findings from interviews with 12 Cambodian organisations for persons with disabilities on how to improve the social protection system.

ITUC report reveals the economic benefits of social protection

A new report released by the International Trade Union Confederation demonstrates that increased investment in social protection yields positive economic returns.

Making a pilot cash transfer possible in Angola by developing an MIS

A new pilot cash transfer for children in Angola required an MIS for a successful launch. As part of the design and implementation of pilot cash transfer for the Government...

Inequality and social security in the Asia-Pacific region

The Asia-Pacific region is characterised by high levels of income inequality, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis. This report provides analysis and recommendations on how to % reduce inequality in the region.

Building Inclusive Social Protection Systems for Persons with Disabilities

The UK Government asked us to undertake research which seeks to examine how social protection systems and schemes can be made more inclusive of persons with disabilities.

Social registries: a short history of abject failure

This paper, which was written in partnership with Act Church of Sweden, examines the utility of the so-called "social registry" - a database that determines people's eligibility for welfare programs - within social protection.

What can data tell us about international commitment to providing access to disability benefits?

Written by Patrick Llewellin, Diloá Athias, and Bjorn Gelders In recognition of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Development Pathways is launching the 2019 edition of our Disability Benefit Database – a unique inventory of tax-financed disability benefits in low- and middle-income countries around the world. Persons with disabilities – and their households – face a higher risk of living in poverty than people without disabilities. Even when incomes are similar, people with disabilities tend to...

Universal Child Benefits: transforming the lives of children across South Asia

This paper from the UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia demonstrates how all countries in South Asia could invest in Universal Child Benefits (UCBs), in line with the right to social security for all children, in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Harnessing their Potential – The State of Disability in Uganda: Summary Report

This summary report provides an overview of the key findings of the final Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development report. It examines the vulnerabilities and risks that persons with disabilities, and their caregivers, face across their lifecycle and includes an overview of the additional costs of living with a disability in Uganda, as captured by both quantitive and qualitative data.

Situational Analysis of Persons with Disabilities in Uganda

This report provides an overview of the vulnerabilities and risks that persons with disabilities, and their caregivers, face across their lifecycle in Uganda.

Addressing the Economic Impacts of the COVID-19 Crisis in South Asia through Universal Lifecycle Transfers

This paper was prepared for UNICEF to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and to stimulate discussion on how to fund an effective fiscal response COVID-19 in South Asia.

Scoping and Sector Review of Social Protection in Somaliland

This Scoping Study and Sector Review is a strategic analysis of the existing policy landscape in Somaliland in order to inform the development of a Social Protection system.

Tackling the COVID-19 economic crisis in Sri Lanka: Providing universal, lifecycle social protection transfers to protect lives and bolster economic recovery

This summary paper, written in partnership with UNICEF Sri Lanka, summarises findings from a series of Policy Briefs that aim to provide evidence to support the Government of Sri Lanka in its social protection response to the economic crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hit and Miss: An assessment of targeting effectiveness in social protection – Summary version with updated analysis

One of the most highly charged debates in social protection is how best to undertake targeting: while some social protection practitioners are passionate advocates of income testing (or poverty targeting), others highlight the many advantages of universal selection. However, as with any debate, it is best to first look at the evidence.

Addressing the COVID-19 economic crisis in Asia through social protection

This paper examines social security responses that Asian countries have already implemented in response to COVID-19 and proposes a range of more effective complementary or alternative approaches.

Emergency Universal Child Benefits: Addressing the Social and Economic Consequences of the COVID-19 Crisis in South Asia

This paper, written in partnership with UNICEF’s Regional Office for South Asia, makes the case for South Asian countries to implement emergency Universal Child Benefits (UCB) during the COVID-19 crisis.

Analysis of Refugee Vulnerability in Uganda

The aim of this report was to review the current selection criteria for food assistance in Uganda by presenting an in-depth vulnerability study.

Investing in the future: A universal benefit for Sri Lanka’s children

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate how a universal child benefit can help children in Sri Lanka reach their full potential.

The effectiveness of the graduation approach: what does the evidence tell us?

Stephen Kidd and Diloá Athias critically assess what the evidence tells us about the effectiveness of the Graduation approach.

Kenya Social Protection Sector Review 2017: Main Report

The Kenya Social Protection Sector Review Report, released by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, offers a strategic review of the evolution of Kenya’s social protection sector between 2011 and 2017 and includes many lessons for other countries as they seek to expand their social protection systems.