Updating Pakistan’s Poverty Numbers for the Year 2019

Jamal, Haroon (2021): Updating Pakistan’s Poverty Numbers for the Year 2019.

Abstract

The objective of this research is to provide estimates of poverty and vulnerability to poverty by using the latest available household survey data of eleventh round of Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurements (PSLM) 2018-19. Coincidently these estimates also provide the benchmark or baseline levels of poverty and vulnerability in the country for the present Government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI); Prime Minister Imran Khan has held the office since 18th August 2018.

Poverty estimates show that close to 37 percent population of Pakistan was living below the poverty line during the year 2018-19. The incidence, depth and severity of rural poverty are relatively higher as compared to urban areas. However, a decline is observed in the current level of rural poverty as compared with the poverty estimates for the year of 2015-16.

Poverty incidences for various years during the period 1988-2019 are also furnished in the paper. These estimates are developed by using the consistent methodology for defining and computing national and regional poverty lines.

This research note also furnishes incidence of vulnerability to poverty in Pakistan. The estimates show that close to 52 percent population was vulnerable to poverty during 2018-19. This incidence of vulnerability is slightly higher than the estimated vulnerability level for the year 2015-16. It is also observed that the level of vulnerability of rural population is significantly higher as compared to the vulnerability incidence in urban areas.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Poverty, Vulnerability, Pakistan
• Subjects: C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C3 - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models ; Multiple Variables > C31 - Cross-Sectional Models ; Spatial Models ; Treatment Effect Models ; Quantile Regressions ; Social Interaction Models; D - Microeconomics > D3 - Distribution; I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I3 - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty

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