The aim of this thesis is to analyze the economic development of selected African economies, analyze the sources of their economic growth, identify the factors which may limit their economic development and assess the evolution of poverty and human development in these countries. Theoretical part focuses on the definition of the phenomenon of economic development, selected theories and finally defines the factors affecting the economic development of the country. The practical part analyzes the economic development of the African continent as a whole, and then analyzes the economic development of selected countries: Rwanda, Ghana and Tanzania. The key factors of the economic development of these countries can be considered: fundamental institutional reforms and political and macroeconomic stability. On the other hand, limiting factors can be considered underdeveloped infrastructure, bureaucracy or persistent low productivity in agriculture and industry. The analysis also shows that economic development in selected countries is connected to the improvement of indicators of human development and reduction of poverty of population in these countries.

The first chapter provides a comprehensive overview of microfinance academic literature with emphasis on recent innovations, trends and efficiency. In particular, we focus on controversial issues of microfinance, such as commercialization, regulation, interest rate policy and the balance between outreach and performance of MFIs. The next chapter especially investigates the role of public expenditures and general government debt in microfinance performance in Latin America and the Caribbean. Microfinance institutions finance their business activities primary with clients' deposits, equity or with external funding. The aim of the third chapter is to verify whether the external funding, macroeconomic development and the size of banking sector have some impact on a microfinance performance. This study investigates, as well, the possible reasons why many microfinance institutions have gradually experienced a decrease in the share of female borrowers in their portfolios over the last few years. The final chapter is focused on the impact of macroeconomic environment and internal variables of the microfinance sector on microfinance interest rates.

This thesis examines the effect of population ageing on macroeconomic aggregates. The author´s objective is to verify, whether there exists any relationship of the population ageing factors and the GDP growth rate, social expenditures growth rate and the consumption growth rate. Econometric models are based on theoretical specifications of Faruqee´s life-cycle model and Prettner´s R&D model with overlapping generations. The degree of economic development is also taken into account. Furthermore, the author modified the R&D model by incorporation of the poverty indicator and its application on available datasets. The research is focused on five European countries in 1995 - 2013. The Ordinary Least Squares method is used to gain estimated results in regression analyses. The author managed to prove an existing relationship between the old age dependency ratio and the social expenditures in all countries except Switzerland. The impact of the population ageing factor on the consumption growth rate turned out to be significant in all of those countries. Substantial fluctuations are shown only in Bulgaria and in the Czech Republic. The GDP growth rate seems to be influenced by ageing factor in the Czech Republic and in the Ukraine alone. The research has also shown that developing countries respond more dramatically to changes in the population structure distribution, while the poverty indicator plays an important role only in the Ukraine.

This thesis focuses on current approaches to the measurement of poverty. The aim of the thesis is to evaluate if measuring poverty indicators and quality of life indicators used by United Nations Development Programme and Eurostat are meaningful enough. The theoretical part is an analysis of chosen indicators. The theoretical knowledge is followed by practical part, comparing poverty levels in member states of the European Union, and giving deeper insight into the analysis of sub-indicators. Furthermore, the thesis looks at informative value connected to mutual relations among the indicators. The comparison reveals that the level of human development is negatively related to aspects such as insufficient economic growth, inequality and low level of wealth redistribution. From an analytical point of view, new multi-criteria indicators are useful enough for the purpose of research on this topic, in spite of certain imperfections.

The objective of this thesis is to evaluate, whether microfinance are a suitable instrument for development aid. It maps the factors that caused the microfinance crisis in 2008 to 2010 and validates the proposed reform measures. It describes and compares the effeciency and results of microfinance substitutes in the field of development aid, which are governmental, non-governmental and commercial programmes with similar objectives declared. It also analyses data from 2008 to 2014 from the point of view of social indicator reporting and acceptance of the new concept among microfinance institutions. Conclusion is reached based on these three components: ability to reform microfinance, possibilities of other programmes and situation in social reporting. Microfinance isn´t a suitable instrument for poverty reduction as such, but serves as a complement to provide for development of poor regions and financial inclusion of poor inhabitants.

Poverty in Subsaharan Africa and the role of Chine in its solution worries many supporters of current development assistance. Hypothesis: The role of China is markedly different than the help from the rest of the world, it could help the countries to find their way out of poverty but it could also damage their insitutions or worsen unemployment by importing their own labor. Main target of the asian investors is extraction of natural resources, which shows in exports. In first part of the thesis will be discussed theories of poverty and models of its solution, mainly approach of Albert O. Hirschman, Jeffrey Sachs and the World bank. Will be characterized situtation in Zambia, Nigeria and South African Republic. Then will be analysed motives and especially approach of China during its involvement in Africa with focus on beforementioned countries. The point will be to characterize and evaluate impacts of chinese investments and development assistance on economies and poverty in given countries. Mainly, if the rates of growth and structure of exports changed. Will be used databases of UNCTAD and World bank. Main methods will be analysis and iduction.

This diploma work analyzes selected social indicators in region Pardubice. The aim of the diploma work is find out how the indicators developed under the influence of economic recession. Period between the years 2006 and 2011 is analyzed. The theoretical part of the diploma work is focused on characterization of selected social indicators, inception of economic recession and its impacts on the Czech republic. The practical part of the diploma work analyzes first demographic and economic situation in region Pardubice and then it analyzes selected social indicators. It compares the progress of the indicators in region Pardubice with the progress of average value of these indicators in the Czech republic. The analysis confirmed that economic recession has presumed social impacts and so it influences selected social indicators.

The goal of this work is to identify and analyse factors with impact on the income decrease of households under the poverty line. Data used in this work are taken from EU SILC survey. In this work is created a statistical model which help us to discover relevant and irrelevant factors. The situation and it's development is analysed only for Czech households in this work

This thesis is focused on the elimination of slums in Kenya. It is currently facing a huge challenge - improving the quality of life of slum dwellers. Despite the large amount of efforts developed to promote the slums in Kenya, the situation remains problematic and local slums has already grown to such proportions that it was not easy efficient and sustainable. Thesis is divided into three subsequent chapters. The first chapter focuses on the economic, political and social situation in Kenya. In the second chapter I explain term slum, it's history, the life of slum dwellers and I also think about causes of their origin and subsequent dynamic urban sprawl. The third chapter is focused on the actual Kenyan slums and projects dedicated to tackle the challenges of their elimination. My goal is to identify the causes that lead to the extension of slums. Further I want to analyze how the issue of slums in Kenya is solved and whether these projects are effective and sustainable.

The doctoral thesis offers a comprehensive view of income situation of the elderly and evaluates methodological procedures and indicators used for assessing the standard of living of seniors in the Czech Republic. This thesis describes status of the elderly in society according to the amount of their income. Furthermore, it offers an analysis categorised by regions. Moreover, it deals with depth of poverty and amount of funds needed, and it also compares differences between the working and non-working seniors. The thesis combines qualitative and quantitative data from the EU SILC and Household budgert survey (HBS) surveys, and from a primary survey in a form of a questionnaire. The results might be applied in social policy and in developing indicators of living standards.