Understanding multidimensional poverty in pakistan: implications for regional and demographic-specific policies

Abstract

This study enriches the limited literature on multidimensional poverty by focusing on household demographic characteristics as determinants of household-specific living arrangements in Pakistan. The study employs the Alkire and Foster methodology to measure the multidimensional poverty index (MPI) using data drawn from the latest available nationally representative Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES 2018-19). The analysis investigates multidimensional poverty levels among households in Pakistan according to various criteria (such as access to education and healthcare, basic living standards, and monetary status) and how they differ across Pakistan’s regions and provinces. The results indicate that 22% of Pakistanis are multidimensionally poor in terms of health, education, basic living standards, and monetary status; and that multidimensional poverty is more common in rural areas and Balochistan. Furthermore, the logistic regression results show that households with more working-age people, employed women, and employed young people are less likely to be poor, whereas households with more dependents and children are more likely to be poor. This study recommends policies for addressing poverty that consider the needs of multidimensionally poor Pakistani households in various regions and with various demographic characteristics.