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The counting approach to multidimensional poverty: The case of four African countries

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  • Valérie Bérenger

Abstract

This paper investigates the levels and evolution of poverty in Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe using the decomposability properties of poverty measures based on a counting approach. We compare poverty measures such as the Alkire and Foster index with alternative poverty indices that are sensitive to inequality. Poverty is estimated using Demographic and Health Surveys for different years for Malawi (2004, 2010, and 2015), for Mozambique (2003 and 2011), Tanzania (2005, 2010, and 2015) and for Zimbabwe (2005, 2010, and 2015).

Suggested Citation

  • Valérie Bérenger, 2017. "The counting approach to multidimensional poverty: The case of four African countries," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2017-210, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2017-210
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Channing Arndt & Azhar M. Hussain & Vincenzo Salvucci & Finn Tarp & Lars Peter Østerdal, 2016. "Poverty Mapping Based on First‐Order Dominance with an Example from Mozambique," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(1), pages 3-21, January.
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    3. Oihana Aristondo & Casilda Lasso De La Vega & Ana Urrutia, 2010. "A New Multiplicative Decomposition For The Foster–Greer–Thorbecke Poverty Indices," Bulletin of Economic Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 62(3), pages 259-267, July.
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    7. José Cardoso & João Morgado & Vincenzo Salvucci, 2016. "Mapping deprivation in Mozambique: An analysis of census data (1997–2007)," WIDER Working Paper Series 166, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    8. Arndt, Channing & Leyaro, Vincent & Mahrt, Kristi, 2014. "Multi-dimensional poverty analysis for Tanzania: First order dominance approach with discrete indicators," WIDER Working Paper Series 146, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
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    11. Sabina Alkire and James Foster, 2016. "Dimensional and Distributional Contributions to Multidimensional Poverty," OPHI Working Papers ophiwp100_2.pdf, Queen Elizabeth House, University of Oxford.
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