wl-5630-Multidimensional Poverty Disparities among Social Groups

This study examines social group based disparities in changes of India’s Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). It uses harmonised definitions across three rounds of National Family Health Surveys (NFHS) conducted in 2005-06, 2015-16, and 2019-21. Utilising an unconventional classification of social groups, the analysis reveals a decrease in absolute levels of poverty headcount across all groups, but with growing disparities. The group with the highest initial poverty level in 2005-06, Scheduled Tribes (STs), experienced the slowest decrease in poverty, while the group with the lowest initial poverty rate, General Hindus, saw the fastest decline. This has resulted in the gradual concertation of poverty among socio-religious minorities. Multivariate analysis of this study highlights socio-religious group affiliation independently influences poverty prevalence, with STs at the highest likelihood and General Hindus at the lowest. Additional factors such as non-nuclear family structures, urban residence, and access to a bank account notably impact poverty, particularly benefiting STs. The findings emphasise the importance of budgetary allocations for education, addressing undernutrition, inadequate housing, and improving access to clean cooking fuel, especially in rural areas and among marginalised groups, to maximize anti-poverty program effectiveness.