Readdressing Poverty Measurement Practice in Pakistan

Abstract

A clear and systematic methodology for poverty measurement is lacking for Pakistan which results in differing poverty estimates with divergent patterns and trends. This paper measures poverty in Pakistan by establishing a clear and systematic methodology and demonstrates poverty comparisons. Using the data from Household Integrated Economic Survey 2011-12, over 41.18% population in Pakistan is estimated to be below the poverty line. Poverty is found significantly higher in the rural areas as compared with the urban areas at the national level as well as in all the provinces. Though incidence of poverty appears to be highest in Balochistan, majority of poor are found in Punjab.

Spatial Analysis of Relative Poverty: A Case Study of Slum Areas of Karachi

“…The association between inflation and poverty is both direct and inverse. According to Murtaza (2018), Pakistan does not have a clear and systematic technique for measuring poverty, which leads to varying poverty estimates with different patterns and trends. To study poverty in Pakistan, a clear, organized technique was established, along with poverty comparisons.…”