Intimate Partner Violence in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Insights from Economic Research

Manisha Shah and Lydia Barski

Journal of Economic Literature, 2026, vol. 64, issue 2, 403-46

Abstract: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive global issue, with approximately one in three women experiencing IPV during her lifetime. IPV prevalence is higher in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), and costs of IPV are also considerably larger as a percentage of GDP in LMICs. We present the economic theory behind IPV and highlight some important determinants, such as poverty and societal norms. We then synthesize the causal evidence on the impact of a range of policies and interventions, highlighting approaches that have been effective in reducing IPV. We identify key insights from the existing literature and outline areas where further theoretical and empirical research is needed.

JEL-codes: I32 J12 J16 K42 O15 O17 Z13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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DOI: 10.1257/jel.20251769

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