Multidimensional Poverty Measurement in Iran: 2009-2013 (Alkire-Foster Approach)

Poverty alleviation is an essential goal of national public policies that has also been addressed as the first goal of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Although income is one of the basic characteristics that determines the level of human well-being, poverty is not restricted to inadequacy of income. The study calculates multidimensional poverty for Iran during 2009-2013 using Alkire-Foster approach (2013).
The results show that, on average, for all geographical subgroups and household characteristics, poverty indicators have decreased up to 2012 and has risen 2013. The analysis shows that the share of income inadequacy in Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) increases over time, hence the effect of this variable on the indicator is higher at the end of the period as compared to the beginning of the period. The results of logistic regression, in 2013, shows that living in rural area, being female household head and each additional household members increase the odds of being multidimensional poor while an increase of one year of education decreases the odds of being multidimensional poor.