The recent release of the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) 2021 by the United Nations Development Programme and the Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative offers a comprehensive overview of multidimensional poverty worldwide. This index utilizes data from 109 countries and examines the circumstances of 5.9 billion people to create a snapshot of global poverty in all its forms.
Global Data on Multidimensional Poverty
According to the MPI, 1.3 billion individuals across the globe are living in conditions of multidimensional poverty, meaning poverty that affects multiple aspects of their lives beyond just income. Among these people, almost half (644 million) are under 18 years old. The majority, about 85%, live in Sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia, with over 67% residing in middle-income countries.
Periodic Reduction in Poverty
Data from 80 countries has shown some positive progress, with 70 countries experiencing a reduction in multidimensional poverty for at least one period. Sierra Leone showed the fastest changes from 2013 to 2017, closely followed by Togo.
Absolute Reduction in Poverty
Some regions managed to substantially reduce poverty rates in their poorest areas, aiding their commitment towards inclusivity. This includes North Central in Liberia and Province 2 in Nepal.
Poverty Across Ethnic and Racial groups
The study showed variations in levels of multidimensional poverty across different racial and ethnic groups within the same country, suggesting the need for specific policy actions to address these disparities.
Educational Poverty
Around the world, approximately two-thirds of multidimensionally poor people live in households where no woman or girl completed at least six years of schooling, with 227 million of these individuals living in India. Women and girls in multidimensional poverty are also found to be at a higher risk of intimate partner violence.
Poor Living Standards
In terms of living standards, the MPI reported 1 billion people are exposed to harmful cooking fuels, and an equal number live with inadequate sanitation or substandard housing. In addition, 568 million lack easy access to improved drinking water.
Effects of COVID-19 on Poverty
The COVID-19 pandemic has further affected those living in multidimensional poverty by exposing weaknesses in social protection systems, education, and worker vulnerabilities. These effects are most profound in countries with higher levels of multidimensional poverty.
The Situation in India
In India, the MPI highlights the stark differences in multidimensional poverty rates among different social groups. The data reveals that five out of six multidimensionally poor people in India are from lower tribes or castes.
About the Multidimensional Poverty Index
Launched in 2010, the MPI offers a more comprehensive measure of poverty than traditional income-based metrics. It considers three dimensions (education, health, and standard of living) across ten indicators to provide a deeper understanding of how poverty affects individuals’ lives. This methodology allows us to see poverty as a multidimensional issue rather than a unidimensional one.
