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Poverty and Income Mobility in a Data-Scarce World: Concepts, Measures, and Data Challenges

Author

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  • Dang, Hai-Anh H.

Abstract

Poverty headcounts show how many people are poor at a given date, but not who enters, escapes or remains in poverty. We review poverty and income mobility measures, emphasizing their data requirements and relevance for poorer countries. The framework distinguishes time horizons and national or global reference frames, and organizes estimation by data availability. An inventory covering 218 economies identifies qualifying household welfare panels in only about two-fifths, with recent documented longitudinal fieldwork in even fewer economies. Three empirical illustrations examine synthetic-panel validation, global welfare-class transitions for 1,235 subnational regions, and measurement-error sensitivity in a Vietnamese panel. Selected validations show small average deviations in joint transition shares. Regional movements are predominantly upward, although magnitudes depend on survey comparability and sample composition. Added error to the panel changes entry and exit rates substantially, while the share poor in both years remains comparatively stable. We conclude with reporting guidance and priorities for improving mobility data.

Suggested Citation

  • Dang, Hai-Anh H., 2026. "Poverty and Income Mobility in a Data-Scarce World: Concepts, Measures, and Data Challenges," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1841, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:glodps:1841
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    JEL classification:

    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty
    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • C81 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Methodology for Collecting, Estimating, and Organizing Microeconomic Data; Data Access

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