Q.The incidence and intensity of poverty are more important in determining poverty based on income alone”. In this context analyse the latest United Nations Multidimensional Poverty Index Report.
Model Answer
View this Question In PYQ RealmApproach
- Introduction (30-40 words): Explain the limitations of income-only poverty metrics and introduce the concepts of "incidence" and "intensity" of poverty as captured by the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI).
Body (170-180 words)
- Outline the structure and dimensions of the MPI (Health, Education, Standard of Living).
- Analyze key global findings from the latest UN MPI report.
- Detail India's specific progress and remaining structural challenges.
- Conclusion (30-40 words): Emphasize how multidimensional poverty assessment leads to more targeted and effective policy design.
Introduction
Poverty is a complex, multi-faceted deprivation that extends far beyond a simple lack of income. It encompasses inadequate access to education, healthcare, clean water, and basic living standards. While the incidence of poverty measures the proportion of people who are poor, the intensity measures the depth of the deprivations they experience. The United Nations Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) captures both dimensions to offer a comprehensive assessment of global poverty.
Body
graph TD MPI["Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Framework"] --> Health["Health"] MPI --> Education["Education"] MPI --> Standard["Standard of Living"] Health --> Nutrition["Nutrition"] Health --> ChildMortality["Child Mortality"] Education --> YearsSchooling["Years of Schooling"] Education --> SchoolAttendance["School Attendance"] Standard --> CookingFuel["Cooking Fuel"] Standard --> Sanitation["Sanitation"] Standard --> DrinkingWater["Drinking Water"] Standard --> Electricity["Electricity"] Standard --> Housing["Housing"] Standard --> Assets["Assets"]
Understanding the MPI Framework
Developed by the UNDP and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), the MPI evaluates deprivations across three equally weighted dimensions consisting of 10 indicators:
- Health: Nutrition, Child Mortality.
- Education: Years of Schooling, School Attendance.
- Standard of Living: Cooking Fuel, Sanitation, Drinking Water, Electricity, Housing, Assets.
A household is classified as multidimensionally poor if it is deprived in at least one-third (33.3%) of these weighted indicators.
Key Global Findings from the Latest MPI Report
- Global Scale of Poverty: Approximately 1.1 billion people globally live in acute multidimensional poverty.
- Vulnerability of Children: Children bear a disproportionate burden, accounting for over half of the multidimensionally poor population.
- Regional Concentration: The highest concentration of multidimensional poverty remains in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
- Progressive Trends: Several developing nations, notably India, have demonstrated significant success in reducing their MPI scores.
Analysis of India's Progress
- Massive Poverty Reduction: India successfully lifted 415 million people out of multidimensional poverty between 2005-06 and 2021-21.
- Targeted Deprivation Reductions: Significant improvements were recorded in access to electricity, sanitation, and clean cooking fuel, largely driven by targeted national schemes (e.g., Swachh Bharat Mission, PM Ujjwala Yojana).
- Equitable Growth: Poverty reduction was fastest among the poorest states and historically marginalized groups, helping to narrow regional disparities.
Conclusion
Evaluating poverty through the dual lenses of incidence and intensity provides a far more accurate diagnostic tool than income-based metrics. By identifying specific, overlapping deprivations, the MPI enables governments to design highly targeted, resource-efficient interventions to achieve sustainable poverty eradication.