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Economic Well-being and Non-economic Well-being: A Review of the Meaning and Measurement of Poverty

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  • Andy Sumner

Abstract

This paper discusses the measurement of poverty and well-being. A historical overview is given of the last fifty years. This is followed by discussion of three groupings of indicators: those measures based primarily on economic well-being; those based on non-economic well-being and composite indicators. It is argued that the choice of indicator should reflect its purpose and that economic measures are best when quick, rough-and-ready, short run, aggregate inferences are required.

Suggested Citation

  • Andy Sumner, 2004. "Economic Well-being and Non-economic Well-being: A Review of the Meaning and Measurement of Poverty," WIDER Working Paper Series RP2004-30, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:rp2004-30
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    4. Owen Gohori & Peet van der Merwe, 2020. "Towards a Tourism and Community-Development Framework: An African Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-35, June.
    5. Lionjanga, Nahungu & Venter, Christo, 2018. "Does public transport accessibility enhance subjective well-being? A study of the City of Johannesburg," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 523-535.
    6. Divya Pradeep & K. C. Adaina & Sonia Kahmei, 2020. "Well-being of North Eastern Migrant Workers in Bangalore," Indian Journal of Human Development, , vol. 14(1), pages 99-114, April.
    7. B. Sudhakara Reddy & Arpit Tiwari, 2016. "Picking the winner: Measuring urban sustainability in India," Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Mumbai Working Papers 2016-021, Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Mumbai, India.
    8. Deb, Surajit, 2010. "Can Trade Liberalization Promote Growth in Agriculture: Evidence from China and India," Conference papers 332011, Purdue University, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Global Trade Analysis Project.

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