Public policies and territorial equity in the distribution of social spending

Rojas Rivera P.C.; Ciriaco Arroyo J.M.; Lozano-Godoy K.M.; Manrique Nugent M.A.L. · Revista Venezolana de Gerencia (2025) · DOI: 10.52080/rvgluz.30.112.25

Resumen

The distribution of social spending in Latin America has reflected historical territorial inequalities that have limited equitable access to fundamental rights such as education, health, and social protection. Despite regulatory advances in decentralization and social justice, structural imbalances persisted that favored certain territories over others, widening gaps in human development. This study aimed to evaluate how public policies influenced territorial equity in the distribution of social spending, based on a comparative analysis of regions with different levels of investment and coverage in key areas. The research adopted a mixed approach, with a predominance of quantitative analysis. Indicators of per capita social spending, coverage levels, and institutional performance in different territories were processed using statistical techniques such as cluster analysis and multiple regression. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with public officials and local stakeholders to capture perceptions about budget allocation criteria and challenges in policy implementation. The results revealed allocation patterns that reproduced regional inequalities, as well as a correlation between low social investment and weak institutional capacity in peripheral areas. It was found that public policies designed without a territorial focus tended to benefit regions with greater management capacities, to the detriment of the most vulnerable. It was concluded that achieving territorial equity in social spending requires more than budget redistribution; it demands structural reforms that incorporate territorial vulnerability criteria, participatory mechanisms, and institutional strengthening in lagging contexts.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de Cañete; Universidad Nacional de Barranca; Universidad Nacional José Faustino Sánchez Carrión