Multidimensional Poverty in Europe 2006–2012: Illustrating a Methodology

Multidimensional approaches to poverty and deprivation have a long and distinguished history in conceptual and philosophical work (Sen 1992). This chapter explores multidimensional poverty using EU-SILC data from 2006 to 2012. We calculate a multidimensional poverty index based on the Alkire Foster (AF) methodology – a widely used flexible methodology which can accommodate different indicators, weights and cut-offs. We draw on existing Europe 2020 indicators, as well as on indicators of health, education and the living environment. Aggregated and country cross sectional results are presented. A short analysis of dynamics of multidimensional poverty is also included.

Citation: Alkire, S. and Apablaza, M. (2016). 'Multidimensional poverty in Europe 2006–2012: Illustrating a methodology', OPHI Working Paper 74, Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), University of Oxford.

This paper is also published in Atkinson, A.B., Guio, A.-C. and Marlier, E. (eds.) (2017). Monitoring Social Inclusion in Europe, 2017 edition. Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, ch. 12, ‘Multidimensional poverty in Europe 2006–2012: Illustrating a methodology’.

Updated version of the paper, ‘Chronic multidimensional poverty in Europe’ by S. Alkire and M. Apablaza, with A.-C. Guio, is published in Guio, A.-C., Marlier, E., Nolan, B. (eds.) (2021). Improving the Understanding of Povery and Social Exclusion in Europe, 2021 edition. PublicationsOffice of the European Union, Luxembourg, ch. 16 (pp. 275–291).