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Social Indicators Research
Published in: Social Indicators Research 1/2017

16-11-2015

A Multidimensional Poverty Index for Gauteng Province, South Africa: Evidence from Quality of Life Survey Data

Authors: Darlington Mushongera, Precious Zikhali, Phindile Ngwenya

Published in: Social Indicators Research | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

This paper estimates a Multidimensional Poverty Index for Gauteng province of South Africa. The Alkire–Forster method is applied on Quality of Life survey data for 2011 and 2013 which offer an excellent opportunity for estimating poverty at smaller geographical areas. The results suggest that the Multidimensional Poverty Index for Gauteng is low but varies markedly by municipality and by ward, as well as across income groups. Not only are low income households more likely to be multidimensionally poor, they also suffer from higher intensities of poverty. Multidimensional poverty is highest in areas of low economic activity located on the edges of the province. However, pockets of multidimensional poverty do prevail even in better performing municipalities. Government, at all spheres, needs to devise policies that channel investments into lagging areas and avoid approaches that are indifferent to the heterogeneities that exist across localised geographical extents.
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Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Footnotes
1
For a concise history and use of unidimensional measures see Alkire and Foster (2011).
 
2
The Premier for Gauteng province, Mr. David Makhura stressed during the State of Province Address, that the province was adopting evidence-based planning.
 
3
Social wage refers to monetary and in-kind support given to vulnerable households. Four components make up the social wage in South Africa (i) housing and community amenities, (ii) health, (iii) education, and (iv) social protection. The first three replace or subsidise day-to-day expenses for housing, education and health hence reducing the cost of living. The fourth is income paid directly to vulnerable groups.
 
4
For example, for the Housing-adjusted standard of living dimension, the weight is calculated as: \(\frac{1}{4}\times\frac{1}{6} = \frac{1}{24}\).
 
5
The uncensored headcount of an indicator refers to the proportion of total households deprived in that indicator. The censored headcount, on the other hand, refers to proportion of all household that are multidimensionally poor (i.e. households that fall within the cut-off point of k = 33 percent) and deprived in that indicator at the same time.
 
6
Table 6 in the “Appendix” presents the results for 2011.
 
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Metadata
Title
A Multidimensional Poverty Index for Gauteng Province, South Africa: Evidence from Quality of Life Survey Data
Authors
Darlington Mushongera
Precious Zikhali
Phindile Ngwenya
Publication date
16-11-2015
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
Social Indicators Research / Issue 1/2017
Print ISSN: 0303-8300
Electronic ISSN: 1573-0921
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-015-1176-2

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