Sharia Economic and Management Business Journal (SEMBJ)
Vol. 7 No. 3 (2026): Sharia Economic and Management Business

Causal Relationship Between Islamic Human Development Index, ZIS and Social Fiscal Policy on Poverty Reduction in Indonesia: Empirical Evidence

Armin Rahmansyah Nasution (State University of Medan)
Muhammad Ramadhan (State Islamic University of North Sumatra)
Fitrawaty Fitrawaty (State University of Medan)



Article Info

Publish Date
23 Oct 2026

Abstract

Background: This study discusses the long-term and short-term causal relationship between the Islamic Human Development Index (IHDI), zakat (ZIS), and fiscal social policies on poverty alleviation in Indonesia using annual data from 1995-2024. Method: The Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) framework is applied to capture balance adjustments, dynamic interactions, and delayed policy effects. The Johansen test confirms three cointegration vectors, which show a stable long-term relationship between poverty, human development, Islamic social finance, and fiscal instruments. Long-term estimates reveal that IHDI and ZIS significantly reduce poverty, suggesting that the expansion of Islamic redistribution capabilities and mechanisms operates as a structural driver of improved welfare. Health spending also shows significant long-term effects, while education and social assistance spending shows no meaningful impact, showing inefficiencies, mistargeting, or weak transformative capacity. Results: Short-term results do not show a direct causal effect of IHDI, ZIS, or fiscal variables on poverty, reflecting that Indonesia's poverty dynamics are dominated by slow structural adjustments rather than short-term shocks. Granger causality shows a selective interaction, especially between ZIS and education spending, while variance decomposition confirms a strong autoregressive behavior of poverty, with external variables contributing minimally in the short term. Conclusion: These findings underline that sustainable poverty alleviation requires long-term human resource development, strengthening zakat governance, and more effective and results-oriented fiscal strategies. The study provides empirical evidence supporting an integrated welfare framework that combines state fiscal policies with sharia social finance to achieve inclusive and sustainable poverty alleviation.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

sembj

Publisher

Subject

Religion Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Computer Science & IT Economics, Econometrics & Finance Education Other

Description

SEMB-J, sharia economic and management business journal is peer-reviewed journal published by Yayasan Darussalam Bengkulu. SEMB-J focus on the research of sharia economic and management business. The aim of this journal is to explore and develop economic management related to islamic and business. ...