Subnational survey data reveal persistent gaps in living standards across 75 low and middle-income countries

Many households worldwide face substantial gaps in decent living standards (DLS), universal and essential material preconditions for achieving well-being and inclusive development. Here, we use subnational Demographic and Health Survey data from 75 low and middle-income countries (1990-2021) to explore the distribution and trends of ten living standards. We estimate that 94.9% of households in our dataset lack the material prerequisites for at least one of the ten standards, and 63.6% for one-third of them. Stark inequalities persist both within and between countries, with regions in sub-Saharan Africa experiencing the most severe deprivations. Despite some improvements, progress remains limited in critical areas such as health care, sanitation, housing, and education. Within countries, rural, agrarian households with low levels of educational attainment are particularly disadvantaged. These granular findings at the subnational level can help direct policy efforts and resources towards those populations most in need.

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Publication Details

Journal
Nature Communications
Published
2025-06-11
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60195-5
Citations
3
Primary Topic
Income, Poverty, and Inequality
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
12.60

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article

Subnational survey data reveal persistent gaps in living standards across 75 low and middle-income countries

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3 citations
Nature Communications
Income, Poverty, and Inequality
12.60
article

Subnational survey data reveal persistent gaps in living standards across 75 low and middle-income countries

Setu Pelz, Elina Brutschin, Omkar Patange, Camille Belmin, Raya Muttarak, Shonali Pachauri, Keywan Riahi, Jarmo Kikstra, Roman Hoffmann, Kian Mintz‐Woo, Caroline Zimm, Thomas Schinko, Jihoon Min, Michael Kühn
article en
3 citations

Abstract

Many households worldwide face substantial gaps in decent living standards (DLS), universal and essential material preconditions for achieving well-being and inclusive development. Here, we use subnational Demographic and Health Survey data from 75 low and middle-income countries (1990-2021) to explore the distribution and trends of ten living standards. We estimate that 94.9% of households in our dataset lack the material prerequisites for at least one of the ten standards, and 63.6% for one-third of them. Stark inequalities persist both within and between countries, with regions in sub-Saharan Africa experiencing the most severe deprivations. Despite some improvements, progress remains limited in critical areas such as health care, sanitation, housing, and education. Within countries, rural, agrarian households with low levels of educational attainment are particularly disadvantaged. These granular findings at the subnational level can help direct policy efforts and resources towards those populations most in need.

Nature CommunicationsVol. 16(1)
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (AT), University College Cork (IE), Imperial College London (GB), Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (DE), University of Bologna (IT)
European Commission, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme
Openalex Percentile: Top 2%
Income, Poverty, and Inequality
12.60
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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