`URBANIZATION AND ITS EFFECT ON SOCIAL WELFARE: THE CASE OF GURAGE ZONE

Abstract

This study focuses on the effects of urbanization on social welfare in Gurage Zone selected towns. To achieve the objectives of the study the researcher used descriptive research design. The study sampled 395 selected urban households from those selected town by using random sampling. Moreover, the study used additional information from ordinary informants, and observation. The researcher also used likert scale question to achieve the aim of the study and secondary IBEX recorded data were used to collect quantitative data. Social welfare was the used as dependent variable and measured by consumption expenditure the town while urbanization indicators were used as independent variables. SPSS v.22 software was used to analyze collected data. The findings showed that food securities, education, housing assistance and unemployment had positive and significant effect on social welfare of the societies residing in the study area. On the other hand, health and child care assistance had positive and insignificant effect on the social welfare of the communities. Finally, the study recommends the policy towards the path of a sustainable society, and the effects of urbanization on social welfare must betaken into consideration.