Global Distribution of Poverty

Table of Contents

Global Poverty Data Set

National-level Poverty Data Sets

• Indirect Estimation Techniques
  • Small Area Estimates Poverty & Inequality Data Set
  • Poverty and Food Security Country Case Studies
• Other Indirect Estimation Techniques
  • Combining Surveys with Remote Sensing Data
• Direct Estimation Techniques
  • Unsatisfied Basic Needs Data Set

Unsatisfied Basic Needs Data

In Latin America, and other regions of the world where census information is fairly rich, poverty maps have been derived using basic needs indicators. The basic needs indicators are constructed by combining census level household measures such as access to adequate housing conditions, water, electricity, sanitation, and education, into a composite indicator of wellbeing for small administrative areas and linking these to geographic boundaries. The Basic Needs data set contains data for numerous countries in Latin America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Peru.

For more information on the methodology of constructing basic needs indicators see:

Hyman, G . 2006. Poverty maps from unsatisfied basic needs indicators in Latin America, pp. 2. [Document]

Feres, J.C. and X. Mancero. 2001. "El Método de las Necesidades B ásicas Insatisfechas (NBI) y sus Aplicaciones en América Latina."  Naciones Unidas -  CEPAL. Santiago de Chile, pp. 56. [Document]

Shuschny, A. and G. Gallopín. 2004.  La Distribución Espacial de la Pobreza en Relación a los Sistemas Ambientales en América Latina. Naciones Unidas -  CEPAL. Santiago de Chile, pp. 43. [Document]