Amanda Lendhardt: The measurement debate

The measurement debate – whose inequality, how deep is the poverty line, and what constitutes progress?

Amanda Lenhardt

developmentprogress.org@dev_progressFlickr photo/Gates Foundation

Development Futures: Alternative pathways to end povertyFourth ACFID University Network Conference

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The measurement debate

• UN Secretary-General’s High Level Panel on post-2015 has adopted the principle of ‘Leave no one behind’:

‘The indicators that track (the new set of goals) should be disaggregated … and targets should be considered achieved if they are met for all relevant income and social groups’

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Current international policy debate surrounding the measurement of poverty and inequality

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The measurement debate – HOW Poverty vs inequality?

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Absolute Measures(Thresholds)

$1.25/dayMultiple Poverty

linesPoverty Gap

Relative Measures (Inequality)

Gini CoefficientIncome deciles

Theil Index

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The measurement debate: WHAT?

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Has anything been missed by the current MDGs?

Human Rights?

Old age?

Governance?

Disability?

Security?

Decent work?

Land? Early Marriage?

Multidimensional?

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The measurement debate – WHO?

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‘… and targets should be considered achieved if they are met for all relevant income and social groups’ Women?

Rural?Urban?

Ethnic Minorities?

Religious Minorities?

The Poorest?

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