Disability and Poverty in Developing Countries: A Multidimensional Study

Interventions to improve the labour market for adults living with physical and/or sensory disabilities in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review

“…Recent estimates suggest that more than one billion people (or about 15% of the world's population) are living with some form of disability-80% of whom live in low-and middle-income countries (World Health Organization [WHO], 2011). 1 People with disabilities are over-represented among the world's poor, and many experience multiple deprivations at higher rates and in higher breadth, depth, and severity than people without disabilities (Mitra, Posarac, & Vick, 2013;Samman & Rodriguez-Takeuchi, 2013). The lack of access to paid work and/or wider economic activity is a significant social disadvantage and helps maintain the link between poverty and disability in many country contexts (Braitwaite & Mont, 2009;Haveman & Wolfe, 1990;Hoogeveen, 2005;Peiyun & Livermore, 2008;WHO, 2011;Zaidi & Burchardt, 2005).…”

“…Yet, where data exist, individuals with disabilities are found to be disadvantaged in both accessing and sustaining work and other forms of economic activity. Employment participation rates for people with disabilities are below that of the overall population; and, when disabled people do work, they generally do so for longer hours and lower incomes, have fewer chances of promotion, are more likely to work in the informal labour market, and are at greater risk of becoming unemployed for longer periods (Coleridge, 2005;Contreras, Ruiz-Tagle, Garces, & Azocar, 2006;Houtenville, Stapleton, Weathers, & Burkhauser, 2009;Mete, 2008;Mitra, 2008;Mitra et al, 2013;Mitra & Sambamoorthi, 2006;Mizunoya & Mitra, 2012;Roulstone, 2012;Roulstone, Gradwell, Price, & Child, 2003). Using data from 27 countries, a recent study from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found that people with disabilities are half as likely to be in paid work as their non-disabled counterparts (44% compared with 75%) (OECD, 2010).…”

“…Although this is not simply an issue in certain countries or even continents, the costs of disability are particularly acute in LMICs, where up to 80% of people with disabilities of working age can be unemployed, around twice that for their counterparts in industrialised countries (Contreras et al, 2006;Groce, Kembhavi, Wirz, Lang, Trani, & Kett, 2011;Houtenville et al, 2009;International Disability Rights Monitor, 2004;Mete, 2008;Mitra, 2009;Mitra et al, 2013;OECD, 2010). Rates of employment vary widely from country to country, from lows of 30% in South Africa to highs of 92% in Malawi (Loeb & Eide, 2004;2004;Mitra, 2008).…”

Introduction

“…It showed that disability is not rare and is associated with lower educational attainment, lower employment rates, and limited access to health services. Some recent research in LMICs has consistently found that disability is associated with a higher likelihood of experiencing simultaneous multiple deprivations (multidimensional poverty) (Hanass-Hancock and McKensie 2017; Mitra et al 2013;Trani and Cunning 2013;Trani et al 2015Trani et al , 2016. In contrast, some research using traditional poverty indicators (consumption expenditures and asset ownership) paints a mixed picture (Filmer 2008;Mitra et al 2013;Trani and Loeb 2010).…”

Considering the Extremely Poor: Multidimensional Poverty Measurement for Germany

“…Alkire and Santos (2010) adapt the measure to developing countries and obtain the so called "Multidimensional Poverty Index", which is part of the Human Development Report 4 of the United Nations. For other applications see for example Whelan et al (2014) for an application to Europe, Battiston et al (2013) for an application to Latin American, Yu (2013) for an application to China or Mitra et al (2013) for an analysis of the connection between disability and poverty in developing countries.…”