Impact evaluation of the non-contributory social pension programme 70 y más in Mexico

While elderly populations in many developing countries, particularly in Latin America, have been growing rapidly, the social security coverage for this segment remains low. Forty-seven low- and middle-income countries have tried to address this issue by providing non-contributory social pensions. The 70 y más (70 and above) programme in Mexico is one such intervention, which provides unconditional cash transfers to adults who are 70 years and older. 

This impact evaluation by Aarón Salinas Rodríguez, Betty Manrique Espinoza, Karla Margarita Moreno Tamayo, Pilar Torres Pereda, Vanessa De la Cruz Góngora, Gustavo Ángeles Tagliaferro and Martha María Téllez-Rojo Solís shows that the 70 y más cash transfer programme has significant positive effects on the nutrition and mental health of elderly people. The impact is particularly pronounced among women in all types of populations, indigenous people and the poorest.