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Estimating poverty among refugee populations: a cross-survey imputation exercise for Chad

Author

Listed:
  • Theresa Beltramo
  • Hai-Anh Dang
  • Ibrahima Sarr
  • Paolo Verme

Abstract

Household consumption surveys do not typically offer poverty estimates for refugees. We test the performance of a recently developed cross-survey imputation method to estimate poverty for a sample of refugees in Chad, combining survey and administrative data collected by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). We find the imputed poverty rates are not statistically different from the poverty rates obtained directly from the survey consumption data. This result is robust to different model specifications, varying poverty lines, and assumptions of the error terms. Targeting results based on the imputed poverty estimates also outperform common targeting methods, such as proxy means tests and the current targeting method used by humanitarian organizations in Chad. Replicating this approach in at least some of the 122 other countries currently using UNHCR administrative data could help address data gaps and provide much-needed estimates to effectively respond to forcibly displaced crises.

Suggested Citation

  • Theresa Beltramo & Hai-Anh Dang & Ibrahima Sarr & Paolo Verme, 2024. "Estimating poverty among refugee populations: a cross-survey imputation exercise for Chad," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 52(1), pages 94-113, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:oxdevs:v:52:y:2024:i:1:p:94-113
    DOI: 10.1080/13600818.2024.2313216
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    Cited by:

    1. Dang, Hai-Anh H & Kilic, Talip & Abanokova, Kseniya & Carletto, Calogero, 2024. "Imputing Poverty Indicators without Consumption Data: An Exploratory Analysis," IZA Discussion Papers 17136, IZA Network @ LISER.
    2. Ibrahima Sarr & Hai-Anh H. Dang & Carlos Santiago Guzman Gutierrez & Theresa Beltramo & Paolo Verme, 2025. "Using Cross-Survey Imputation to Estimate Poverty for Venezuelan Refugees in Colombia," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 177(1), pages 207-251, March.
    3. Pape, Utz & Verme, Paolo, 2023. "Measuring Poverty in Forced Displacement Contexts," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1245, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    4. Hai‐Anh H. Dang & Talip Kilic & Kseniya Abanokova & Calogero Carletto, 2025. "Poverty Imputation in Contexts Without Consumption Data: A Revisit With Further Refinements," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 71(1), February.
    5. Hai-Anh H. Dang & Paolo Verme, 2023. "Estimating poverty for refugees in data-scarce contexts: an application of cross-survey imputation," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 36(2), pages 653-679, April.
    6. Dang, Hai-Anh & Carletto, Calogero & Jolliffe, Dean, 2025. "Better tracking SDG progress with fewer resources? A call for more innovative data uses," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 39(C).
    7. Dang, Hai-Anh H & Nguyen, Cuong Viet, 2025. "Employing Data Imputation to Track Poverty and Welfare Trends over Extended Time Periods: An Application to a Poorer Country," IZA Discussion Papers 18236, IZA Network @ LISER.
    8. Della Guardia, Anne & Lake, Milli & Schnitzer, Pascale, 2022. "Selective inclusion in cash transfer programs: Unintended consequences for social cohesion," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C15 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Statistical Simulation Methods: General
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • O20 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - General

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