OPHI UNDP MOOC

UNDP and OPHI are pleased to offer a free self-paced Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Designing a Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) in English, French, Spanish, Russian, and Arabic (thanks to our partners, ESCWA). 

This course draws on the handbook, How to Build a National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI): Using the MPI to inform the SDGs, launched by UNDP and OPHI in July 2019. 

The MPI complements traditional monetary poverty measures by capturing severe deprivations in education, health, living standards, employment, safety, and many other dimensions of poverty. Using country and sub-national examples, this course offers detailed practical guidance for policymakers, technical experts, and other stakeholders on how to design an MPI at the national and local levels. 

Previously offered in 2020 and 2021, the 2022 self-paced edition provides an expanded library of case studies outlining the uses of the Multidimensional Poverty Index for policy interventions in the context of COVID-19 recovery efforts. 

Course highlights and outcomes 

  • Gain hands-on tools to develop a comprehensive MPI capturing multiple simultaneous deprivations faced by the poor 
  • Take a deep dive into rich learning materials 
  • Receive a certificate of completion from premier international development institutions 

Course topics 

  • Week 1: Introduction to the Multidimensional Poverty Index 
  • Week 2: Generating support for the national MPI 
  • Week 3: The technical process of creating a national MPI – Part 1 
  • Week 4: The technical process of creating a national MPI – Part 2 
  • Week 5: Using national MPIs as policy tools 
  • Week 6: Applying the MPI towards a COVID-19 recovery 

Learning objectives 

By the time the course is completed, you will be able to: 

  • Understand the steps involved in developing a robust MPI 
  • Examine the normative choices and technical requirements of multidimensional poverty measurement 
  • Understand the key aspects of stakeholder engagement in designing and using an MPI 
  • Monitor, analyze and report progress in reducing multidimensional poverty at national and local levels, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 

Course completion requirements 

To receive the certificate of course completion, participants must: 

  • Complete five online lessons 
  • Pass five weekly quizzes 
  • Watch all course lectures 
  • Complete the course survey 

Registration details 

Register for English 
Register for Spanish 
Register for French 
Register for Russian 
Register for Arabic 

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