Child Savings Accounts: Learning from poverty reduction policies in the world

Abstract

This paper addresses the potential benefits of Child Savings Accounts (CSAs) in citizen–government partnerships on poverty reduction. CSA policies from 10 countries/regions in the world with official governmental website information are analyzed in terms of purpose, target age, account opening process, benefits, contributions, match, and fund usage as possible learning lessons for the USA. All 10 countries/regions with national CSA policies target low-income or disadvantaged children through five elements: 1) seed money for children’s education funds; 2) matching fund; 3) school attendance requirements; 4) graduation as a requirement; and 5) income determination. Aversion to higher taxes may still create difficulties in funding.

Keywords

children in poverty children’s savings account comparative policies CSA policy OECD countries

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