POVERTY FRAMING AND DONATION BEHAVIOUR IN RURAL MOZAMBIQUE: EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE
F.L.A.C. Lichucha
Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Faculty of Economics, Mozambique, Maputo, flichucha@gmail.com

Introduction
Mozambique faces significant poverty (national rate of 62.8%) and inequality (Gini coefficient of 0.5), which is exacerbated by spatial disparities. Traditional poverty reduction strategies tend to overlook behavioural economics and framing in decision-making under scarcity. This research project examines how narratives of inequality influence self-investment in contexts of severe deprivation. Development policy often favours relative inequality, obscuring absolute deprivation, which may more accurately reflect public perceptions. The framing of inequality as absolute or relative can significantly impact economic behaviour, yet its effect in low-income settings remains under-explored.

Objectives
The aim of the study is to examine how poverty narratives influence self-investment behaviour, prosocial decision-making and attitudes towards inequality. Specifically, the study will: (1) quantify the causal effects of framing (absolute vs. relative) on donation behaviour and perceptions of fairness; (2) identify behavioural barriers such as cognitive load and present bias; and (3) assess how demographic and regional factors moderate framing effects.

Methodology
This quantitative study uses a lab-in-the-field experiment and survey data from 1,008 participants across eight districts in Nampula Province. The key variables are treatment exposure (absolute versus relative framing), donation behaviour, perceptions of fairness and cognitive effort. Regression analyses (OLS/logistic) were performed to estimate the effects of the treatment and test for heterogeneity in relation to education, religion, and urban–rural residence.

Results
Compared to absolute framing, relative framing reduced donations by 18% (p < 0.01) and increased perceived unfairness (β = −0.23, p < 0.05). The effects were more pronounced among urban participants with higher education levels. Those with lower levels of education and who were economically disadvantaged exhibited stronger present bias and lower effort scores, consistent with scarcity-induced cognitive load.

Conclusions
The research addresses gaps in development economics by integrating behavioural insights and contextual framing. Findings will inform more effective, behaviourally grounded poverty reduction strategies in Mozambique.

Keywords: poverty framing, experimental economics, rural development, Mozambique