Absolute poverty lines

Arbeitspapier

Private consumption capabilities form only one facet of comprehensive living standards assessments, but they are an important facet whose measurement should be done well. Measurement is complex due to a multitude of methodological choices, which often interact with imperfect data and a desire for comparability through time. This paper outlines ideas underpinning these choices with particular attention to the tensions between consistency and specificity. We also highlight a series of limitations associated with typical cost of basic needs approaches. Finally, we reaffirm that a 'sensibly eclectic' approach, employing multiple methods, is the best available mode for addressing these limitations.

Object Details

• ISBN: 978-92-9256-051-5
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: WIDER Working Paper ; No. 2016/8

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Estimation: General ; Measurement and Analysis of Poverty ; Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
• Subject: poverty measurement ; utility consistency ; cost of basic needs

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Arndt, Channing ; Mahrt, Kristi ; Tarp, Finn
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): The United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER)
• (where): Helsinki
• (when): 2016

Further information

• DOI: doi:10.35188/UNU-WIDER/2016/051-5
• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/146200
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:43 AM CET