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Poverty in China Seen from Outer Space

Author

Listed:
  • Almås, Ingvild

    (NHH Norwegian School of Economics and University of Oslo,)

  • Johnsen, Åshild Auglænd

    (University of Stavanger Business School)

  • Kotsadam, Andreaa

    (Dept. of Economics, University of Oslo)

Abstract

Estimates of poverty are highly sensitive to price and income measures across time and space. This paper offers a complementary approach to traditional poverty measurement that ensures comparability: we use nighttime light as a proxy for poverty measurement. We measure the percentage of populated areas in China with no nighttime light, and the percentage of the population living in these areas.Between 1992 and 2005, both measures reveal a steady decrease in poverty in China. From 2005 to 2010, however, we find no evidence of a significant poverty reduction.

Suggested Citation

  • Almås, Ingvild & Johnsen, Åshild Auglænd & Kotsadam, Andreaa, 2014. "Poverty in China Seen from Outer Space," Memorandum 11/2014, Oslo University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:osloec:2014_011
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    File URL: http://www.sv.uio.no/econ/english/research/unpublished-works/working-papers/pdf-files/2014/memo-11-2014.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Paul Minard, 2020. "Institutions and China's comparative development," Papers 2001.02804, arXiv.org.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    China; Poverty; Nighttime light;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I30 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General

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