Armando Barrientos

Armando Barrientos is an Emeritus Professor of Poverty and Social Justice at the Global Development Institute, University of Manchester. He co-directs the International Research Initiative on Brazil and Africa. Previously, he held roles at the Institute of Development Studies and the Institute of Development Policy and Management. His research focuses on welfare programs, social protection in developing countries, and the political economy of poverty reduction, with emphasis on Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and South Asia. He advises global institutions like the ILO, World Bank, and UN agencies.

Barrientos holds a BA and PhD from the University of Kent. His work includes books such as Just Give Money to the Poor (2010) and Social Protection for the Poor and Poorest (2008). His research projects explore Brazil’s economic model for Africa, gender and employment in Central Asia, and the economic impacts of social protection in Uganda. His recent studies analyze tax-transfer systems in Latin America and the expansion of social assistance programs in low-income countries.

His research highlights the linkages between welfare policies and labor markets, emphasizing cash transfers, social pensions, and inclusive growth strategies. He has contributed to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to poverty reduction and social equity through comparative analyses of welfare institutions across regions.

Barrientos’ advisory work spans multilateral organizations, focusing on policy design and implementation. His academic contributions bridge theoretical frameworks with practical policy solutions to address poverty and social exclusion globally.