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Counting-based multidimensional poverty identification: From deprivation weights to bundles

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  • Sam Jones

Abstract

In the widely used class of multidimensional poverty measures introduced by Alkire and Foster (2011), dimension-specific weights combined with a single cut-off parameter play a fundamental role in identifying who is multidimensionally poor. This paper revisits how these parameters are understood, revealing they do not uniquely characterise who is identified as poor and that the weights do not reliably reflect each dimensions' relative importance.

Suggested Citation

  • Sam Jones, 2019. "Counting-based multidimensional poverty identification: From deprivation weights to bundles," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2019-55, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2019-55
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    Keywords

    Boolean functions; Composite indexes; Multidimensional poverty; Multidimensional poverty measurement;
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