This paper summarizes evidence on six perceptions associated with cash transfer programming, using eight rigorous evaluations conducted on large-scale government unconditional cash transfers in sub-Saharan Africa under the Transfer Project. Specifically, it investigates if transfers: 1) induce higher spending on alcohol or tobacco; 2) are fully consumed (rather than invested); 3) create dependency (reduce participation in productive activities); 4) increase fertility; 5) lead to negative community-level economic impacts (including price distortion and inflation); and 6) are fiscally unsustainable. The paper presents evidence refuting each claim, leading to the conclusion that these perceptions—insofar as they are utilized in policy debates—undercut potential improvements in well-being and livelihood strengthening among the poor, which these programs can bring about in sub-Saharan Africa, and globally. It concludes by underscoring outstanding research gaps and policy implications for the continued expansion of unconditional cash transfers in the region and beyond.

中文翻译：

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打破神话？面对关于无条件现金转移作为非洲减贫战略的六种常�
看法。

本文通过对转移项目下撒哈拉以南非洲地区大规模政府无条件现金转移进行的八项严格评估，总结了与现金转移规划相关的六种看法的证据。具体来说，它调查转移是否：1）导致酒精或烟草支出增加；2）完全消费（而不是投资）；3）产生依赖性（减少对生产活动的参与）；4）提高生育能力；5）导致社区层面的经济负面影响（包括价格扭曲和通货膨胀）；6) 财政上不可持续。该文件提供了反驳每项主张的证据，得出的结论是，这些看法（只要它们被用于政策辩论）削弱了穷人福祉和生计改善的潜在改善，而这些计划可以在撒哈拉以南非洲地区带来这些改善，以及全球范围内。报告最后强调了突出的研究差距以及对该地区及其他地区持续扩大无条件现金转移支付的政策影响。