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Multidimensional Relative Poverty in China: Identification and Decomposition

Author

Listed:
  • Wei Zou

    (School of Economics and Management, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China)

  • Xiaopei Cheng

    (School of Economics and Management, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China)

  • Zengzeng Fan

    (School of Business, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China)

  • Wenxi Yin

    (School of Economics and Management, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China)

Abstract

This paper aims to study the change and decomposition of multidimensional relative poverty in China. The data we use are from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). The data cover 12 provinces in China and span a long period, from reform to precise poverty alleviation. The results show that the multidimensional relative poverty index presents a change pattern of “gradual rise (1991–2004)-decline (2004–2011)-rise again (after 2011)”. The dimensions of education, income, and employment contribute more to multidimensional relative poverty, followed by health and living standards. Multidimensional relative poverty is more severe in rural areas, central and western regions, women, and the elderly. The “incidence of poverty effect” is the main factor in the changes in multidimensional relative poverty, and its contribution is higher than the “intensity of poverty effect”.

Suggested Citation

  • Wei Zou & Xiaopei Cheng & Zengzeng Fan & Wenxi Yin, 2023. "Multidimensional Relative Poverty in China: Identification and Decomposition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-27, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:6:p:4869-:d:1092187
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Shiju Dong & Zexuan Yu & Siqian Zhang & Jiajia Li, 2025. "Multidimensional poverty dynamics and health among middle-aged and elderly people: a longitudinal study in China," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Qiong Liu & Mingwei Wang & Qian Wang & Dawei Wei, 2025. "Mitigating Rural Multidimensional Poverty Through Digital Inclusive Finance: Real Improvement and Psychological Empowerment," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-20, April.
    3. Tamisai Chipunza & Lungile Ntsalaze, 2025. "Multi-dimensional poverty: a bibliometric analysis and content co-occurrence literature review," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Jing Cheng & Xiaobin Yu, 2024. "Spatial and temporal differences and convergence analysis of multidimensional relative poverty in ethnic areas," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(4), pages 1-20, April.

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