Measuring Social Vulnerability among Low-Income Households in the Republic of Moldova: A Methodological Perspective

The article proposes a methodological approach to assessing the social vulnerability of low-income households in the Republic of Moldova, grounded in the statutory subsistence minimum. In the context of persistent inflation, demographic ageing, migration and social instability, the need for accurate tools to identify and support vulnerable groups has become critical. The study aims to develop and test the Income-Based Vulnerability Index (IBVI), an adapted model that integrates three components: the ratio of disposable income to median national income, the share of social transfers and a contextual indicator related to access to basic services. By combining these dimensions, the IBVI captures both monetary poverty and broader risks of social exclusion, especially among households with elderly members and children. The model is compared with international methodologies, such as the Social Vulnerability Index (United States) and the AROPE indicator (European Union), highlighting its simplicity and stronger suitability for Moldova’s socioeconomic realities. The illustrative results confirm the IBVI as a practical and flexible tool for monitoring living conditions and guiding more equitable social policies, while also indicating directions for refinement through expanded indicators and empirical validation.