1 AIT Asian Institute of Technology

Profile of multidimensional poverty and potential interventions for alleviation in Deqin county of Southwest China

AuthorYao, Lu
Call NumberAIT Diss no.RD-19-02
Subject(s)Poverty--China--Southwest--Measurement
Poverty--Developing countries--Research
NoteA dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Regional and Rural Development and Planning, School of Environment, Resources and Development,School of Environment, Resources and Development
PublisherAsian Institute of Technology
Series StatementDissertation ; no. RD-19-02
AbstractDespite of China’s fast economic development over the last few decades, Yunnan province is still one of three poorest area s with millions of people living below the poverty line, especially ethnic minority groups in the remote rural area. Compared with other coastal regions of Ch ina, Yunnan and its prefectures have limited opportunities for income generation and actions for social development. Some scholars and government officers prefer to set uniform criteria for measuring the poverty status countrywide, but poverty is a dynamic concept not related only with the income, but also with culture, technology, religion and natural resources, etc. Therefore, this study focuses on the poverty with multidimensional issues and the intervention mechanism for poverty alleviation in Deqin cou nty. This research study utilized the mix method of qualitative and quantitative techniques. A total of 647 sample households have been interviewed in 8 townships of Deqin County. In terms of quantitative calculation, the Alkire Foster method is used to get Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) for expressing the poverty status of the study area. This study compared the MPI with the self assessment to understand better the status of the poor . In addition , focus group and key informant interviews were also conducted to get more details and suggestions for possible interventions to reduce the poverty in Deqin county. The main findings reflect the m ultidimensional poverty with spatial differences This general picture of poverty situation is similar with the poverty status announced by the county government Through comparison of indicators, it was found that the largest contributing indicator to the multidimensional poverty is the average number of years of education of household members . The health situation of family members made significant contribution to the multidimensional poverty. If the comparison is made according to dimensions, it was found that the greatest influences on the multidimensional poverty in Deqin County are the dimensions of “Assets” an d “Living conditions”. If MPI is compared with self evaluation results, a different picture of poverty in the study area is revealed . This study of MPI assessment of poverty has identified a lower percentage of poverty among rural households. The MPI asses sment is more objective while self evaluation is subjective hence cannot be fully relied upon. The MPI approach with the dimensions and indicators applied and tested by townships (spatial units) is objectively reflective and can be relied upon for pover ty assessment in China and in formulating projects and programs more realistically. To achieve substantially as targeted by National Poverty Reduction Program of 2020, some potential projects and programs in the study area can be guided based on the findin gs of this study. As a comprehensive picture of understanding poverty, multidimensional poverty measurement should be taken into consideration for local development as well as in formulating national strategy.
Year2019
Corresponding Series Added EntryAsian Institute of Technology. Dissertation ; no. RD-19-02
TypeDissertation
SchoolSchool of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD)
DepartmentDepartment of Development and Sustainability (DDS)
Academic Program/FoSRural Development, Gender and Resources (RD)
Chairperson(s)Routray, Jayant Kumar;Ahmad, Mokbul Morshed;
Examination Committee(s)Soni, Peeyush ;Thi Phuoc Lai Nguyen ;Myers, Samuel L.;
Scholarship Donor(s)Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC);
DegreeThesis (Ph. D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2019


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