Statistical tools and estimation methods for poverty measures based on household surveys
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Introduction
Most of what is known about poverty and living standards in developing countries comes from household surveys. A household survey can provide data on many topics related to poverty, especially on some monetary indicator of welfare (expenditure on household consumption is the preferred indicator, for reasons discussed below). Φ The advantages of a quantitative indicator are that it can be generalised from a sample to national totals, in principle it enables consistent comparisons of poverty, both through time, across the regions of a country, and, potentially, across countries, and it is amenable to simulation and prediction, which are needed when studying the potential impact of proposed policies on poverty. Priority is placed on a monetary indicator because ultimately poverty alleviation programs have to be budgeted for, which is easier for monetary indicators than non-monetary ones.
Nevertheless, it is usual for a poverty-focused household survey to include non-monetary indicators, both of a quantitative nature (e.g., the height of young children, as an indicator of nutritional problems) and of a qualitative nature (e.g., perceptions about the adequacy of health care). The use of selected qualitative indicators raises issues of balance between survey and non-survey approaches that go beyond this chapter (see Chapter 5). Φ But one point should be made here about these non-survey methods. Case study and participatory approaches may provide insights about poverty in a form more readily understood by policymakers. It is important therefore that these insights be backed up by the survey evidence (see Box 1) Φ in case they are given undue weight. Of course these methods can also reveal the limitations of surveys by illustrating aspects of poverty that go beyond insufficient consumption and poor access to health and education – issues such as lack of safety and lack of power within families or communities. Thus, even though this chapter is only about household surveys, it should be considered in tandem with other methods for studying poverty.
CONF
United Nations Population Division Expert Group Meeting
Gibson, John
2006
1131
