Multidimensional urban poverty estimates in Vietnamese central cities

Abstract

The thesis estimates multidimensional poverty in five urban central cities in Viet Nam, namely Ha Noi, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh, and Can Tho by applying a new approach developed by Alkire and Santos, using Vietnam Living Standard Survey in 2008. There are five dimensions considered for estimation in urban central city including education, health, standard of living, economic well-being, and employment labor. Findings shows that multidimensional poverty is significant high in central cites, especially in Ho Chi Minh City and that those multidimensional poor suffer from the high deprivation intensity of indicators as type of dwelling, underemployment, housing space, and working time. However, five urban central cities present non-depreciable level of deprivation in electricity. When weights derived from the author’s estimation, underemployment deprivation significantly increases its contribution as it receives a higher weight. The thesis suggested an alternative approach for national poverty measurement at multidimensional level as well as a tool for budget allocation.