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UNDP Global MPI: Analyzing the Intensity of Poverty and Dimensional Deprivations

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UNDP Global MPI: Analyzing the Intensity of Poverty and Dimensional Deprivations

The Intensity of Poverty: Unpacking Deprivations by Dimension in the UNDP Global MPI

The Intensity of Poverty (denoted by '$A$') is a crucial component of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). It measures the average proportion of weighted deprivations a person suffers, specifically among those who are identified as multidimensionally poor.

A key strength of the MPI is its decomposability, which allows analysts to "unstack" the overall poverty measure and the Intensity of Poverty by sub-domain. This provides a high-resolution view of which deprivations are the most common and severe among the poor.

Decomposing the Intensity of Poverty by Dimension

The Intensity of Poverty is derived from the average deprivation score of the poor population. Since the MPI is structured around three equally weighted dimensions—Health, Education, and Standard of Living—the intensity can be broken down to show the contribution of each dimension to the overall deprivation experienced by the poor.

This disaggregation is a powerful tool for policy: it reveals where the deepest, most persistent deprivations lie and where targeted resource allocation is most needed.

1. The MPI Structure and Equal Dimension Weighting

The global MPI uses 10 indicators across three dimensions. While the dimensions are equally weighted (each contributing $1/3$ to the total), the individual indicators carry different weights based on the number of indicators in their respective dimension.

MPI DimensionNumber of IndicatorsTotal Dimension WeightWeight per Indicator
Health2 Indicators1/3 (33.33%)1/6 (16.67%)
Education2 Indicators1/3 (33.33%)1/6 (16.67%)
Standard of Living6 Indicators1/3 (33.33%)1/18 (5.56%)

2. The Intensity Calculation in Detail

The Intensity of Poverty $(A)$ is the average deprivation score of all people identified as poor.

  • Deprivation Score: For any given person, their deprivation score is the sum of the weights of the indicators in which they are deprived. For a person to be considered multidimensionally poor, this score must be $33.33\%$ (or $1/3$) or higher.

  • Intensity ($A$): It is the average of these deprivation scores for all poor people.

For example, if the Intensity of Poverty is $45\%$, it means that, on average, the multidimensionally poor population is deprived in $45\%$ of the weighted indicators.

Key Sub-Domain: Deprivation Indicators and Policy Focus

The real analytical power comes from analyzing the Censored Headcount Ratio for each of the 10 indicators. This metric identifies the percentage of the poor population that is deprived in a specific indicator.

While the Intensity ($A$) is an aggregate average, the contribution of each indicator to the MPI value (a product of incidence and intensity) highlights the most prevalent deprivations among the poor. When Intensity is high, it is often driven by simultaneous deprivations in certain core indicators.

MPI DimensionCore Indicators Driving High IntensityPolicy Focus for Reduction
HealthNutrition and Child MortalityFood security, maternal and child health programs, basic healthcare access.
EducationYears of Schooling and School AttendanceInvestment in adult literacy, universal school enrollment, and quality of education.
Standard of LivingCooking Fuel, Sanitation, HousingInfrastructure development, access to clean energy (SDG 7), water and sanitation facilities (SDG 6).

The Intensity of Poverty is far more than a simple statistical average; it is the diagnostic heart of the Multidimensional Poverty Index. By providing a precise measure of the severity and depth of deprivation, it transforms the general problem of poverty into a set of specific, addressable policy challenges. A high Intensity of Poverty signals not just that people are poor, but that they are facing an overwhelming number of concurrent deprivations—such as being malnourished, having no access to clean water, and lacking a single member with primary education, all at the same time. Focusing on this measure allows governments and development agencies to prioritize integrated, multi-sectoral interventions designed to solve overlapping deprivations, ensuring that resources reach the most acutely deprived populations and lead to a more profound and sustainable exit from poverty, thereby truly leaving no one behind.


UNDP The MPI Structure and Equal Dimension Weighting

UNDP The MPI Structure and Equal Dimension Weighting

The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), is a key international measure of acute poverty. It goes beyond monetary metrics to capture the multiple deprivations a person faces simultaneously in health, education, and living standards.

This article details the structure of the MPI, focusing on the three dimensions and their ten indicators, and explains the concept of equal dimension weighting.

The MPI Structure

The global MPI uses three equally weighted dimensions to measure poverty, which are further broken down into ten indicators. A person is identified as "multi-dimensionally poor" if they are deprived in at least one-third (or 33.33%) of the weighted indicators.

Dimensions and Indicators

The following table outlines the MPI's structure, showing the dimensions, their constituent indicators, and the equal weight assigned to each dimension and indicator.

DimensionIndicatorDeprivation Definition (A person is deprived if...)Weight within DimensionWeight in MPI
Health (Weight: 1/3)1. NutritionAny adult under 70 or child is undernourished (BMI below $18.5\ kg/m^2$ for adults, or below $-2$ standard deviations from the median for children).1/21/18
2. Child MortalityAny child has died in the family in the five years preceding the survey.1/21/18
\hline
Education (Weight: 1/3)3. Years of SchoolingNo household member aged 10 or older has completed six years of schooling (primary education).1/21/18
4. School AttendanceAny school-aged child (up to class 10) is not attending school.1/21/18
\hline
Living Standards (Weight: 1/3)5. Cooking FuelThe household uses dung, wood, charcoal, or coal for cooking.1/61/18
6. SanitationThe household has unimproved or shared toilet facilities.1/61/18
7. Drinking WaterThe household does not have access to safe drinking water (as defined by the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme) or it is more than a 30-minute roundtrip walk.1/61/18
8. ElectricityThe household has no electricity.1/61/18
9. HousingThe household has inadequate housing (e.g., floor is made of natural materials, roof/walls are made of natural or rudimentary materials).1/61/18
10. AssetsThe household does not own more than one of the following nine assets: radio, TV, telephone, computer, animal cart, bicycle, motorbike, or refrigerator; and does not own a car or truck.1/61/18

Equal Dimension Weighting

A fundamental principle of the global MPI is equal dimension weighting. This means that the three main dimensions—Health, Education, and Living Standards—are each assigned the same weight of 1/3.

Rationale for Equal Weighting

  1. Philosophical Equality: The equal weighting reflects the ethical judgment that all three dimensions—the ability to be healthy, the ability to be educated, and the ability to access basic living standards—are equally fundamental to a person's well-being and development. No single dimension is inherently more important than the others.

  2. Multidimensionality: The core purpose of the MPI is to reveal simultaneous deprivations. Assigning equal weight ensures that a deprivation in any one dimension contributes equally to a person's overall poverty score, thereby emphasizing the holistic nature of poverty.

  3. Indicator Weighting: Within the MPI, each dimension's total weight (1/3) is simply divided equally among its constituent indicators.

    • Since Health and Education each have two indicators, each indicator receives a weight of $(1/3) \times (1/2) = **1/6$**.

    • Since Living Standards has six indicators, each indicator receives a weight of $(1/3) \times (1/6) = **1/18$**.

The total deprivation score for an individual is the sum of the weights of all the indicators in which they are deprived. This weighting structure, with equal weight for the three dimensions, ensures that the MPI remains a balanced and robust measure of acute multidimensional poverty globally.


UNDP Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) - The Intensity Calculation in Detail

UNDP Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) - The Intensity Calculation in Detail

The Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), is a crucial measure that goes beyond income to capture the severe, simultaneous deprivations people face in health, education, and living standards.

The final MPI value is a product of two core components:

$$\text{MPI} = H \times A$$

Where:

  • $H$ is the Incidence of Poverty (Headcount Ratio) - the proportion of the population that is multidimensionally poor.

  • $A$ is the Intensity of Poverty - the average proportion of weighted deprivations poor people experience.

The Intensity of Poverty ($A$) answers the question: "How poor are the poor on average?" It is a critical component that distinguishes the MPI from a simple headcount by reflecting the breadth of poverty experienced by those classified as poor.

Detailed Calculation of Intensity ($A$)

The calculation of the Intensity of Poverty ($A$) follows a sequential process based on the individual household's deprivation score.

1. Indicators and Weights

The MPI uses 10 indicators grouped into three equally weighted dimensions (Health, Education, Standard of Living). This equal weighting for dimensions results in a nested weighting structure for the individual indicators, as shown in the table below. The sum of all indicator weights must equal 1 (or 100%).

DimensionIndicatorWeight (wj​)
Health (1/3)Nutrition$1/6$
Child Mortality$1/6$
Education (1/3)Years of Schooling$1/6$
School Attendance$1/6$
Standard of Living (1/3)Cooking Fuel$1/18$
Sanitation$1/18$
Drinking Water$1/18$
Electricity$1/18$
Housing$1/18$
Assets$1/18$

2. Deprivation Score ($c_i$)

For each person $i$, a deprivation score ($c_i$) is calculated. This score is the sum of the weights ($w_j$) of all indicators ($j=1$ to $10$) in which the person's household is deprived.

For example, if a household is deprived in Child Mortality ($1/6$), Years of Schooling ($1/6$), and Sanitation ($1/18$), the deprivation score is:

$$c_i = \frac{1}{6} + \frac{1}{6} + \frac{1}{18} = \frac{3}{18} + \frac{3}{18} + \frac{1}{18} = \frac{7}{18} \approx 0.389 \text{ (or } 38.9\%)$$

3. Identifying the Multidimensionally Poor

A person $i$ (and their household) is classified as multidimensionally poor if their deprivation score ($c_i$) is equal to or greater than the poverty cutoff ($k$), which is set at one-third (33.33%) of the weighted indicators:

$$\text{Person } i \text{ is poor if } c_i \geq k = 1/3$$

In the example above, since the deprivation score ($38.9\%$) is greater than the cutoff ($33.33\%$), the person is identified as multidimensionally poor.

4. Calculating the Intensity of Poverty ($A$)

The Intensity of Poverty ($A$) is then calculated as the average deprivation score among only those individuals who have been identified as multidimensionally poor.

Let $q$ be the total number of people who are multidimensionally poor, and $c_i$ be the deprivation score of the $i$-th poor person. The formula for the Intensity of Poverty ($A$) is:

$$A = \frac{\sum_{i=1}^q c_i}{q}$$

This calculation represents the percentage of weighted deprivations the average poor person experiences.

  • If $A$ is close to the poverty cutoff of $33.33\%$, it suggests that the poor are just barely meeting the poverty threshold, experiencing a lower average number of simultaneous deprivations.

  • If $A$ is closer to $100\%$, it indicates that the poor are experiencing a very high average number of simultaneous and severe deprivations, meaning their poverty is more intense.

Example of Intensity Calculation

Imagine a small population of 10 people in a hypothetical village. After calculating each person's weighted deprivation score ($c_i$), five people are identified as multidimensionally poor (i.e., their $c_i \geq 1/3$).

Person (i)Deprivation Score (ci​)Multidimensionally Poor? (ci​≥1/3)
10.40Yes (Poor)
20.34Yes (Poor)
30.50Yes (Poor)
40.60Yes (Poor)
50.33Yes (Poor)
60.25No (Not Poor)
70.10No (Not Poor)
80.20No (Not Poor)
90.05No (Not Poor)
100.18No (Not Poor)

Calculation Steps:

  1. Identify the Poor: The poor are persons 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The number of poor people ($q$) is 5.

  2. Sum the Poor's Deprivation Scores:

    $$\sum_{i=1}^q c_i = 0.40 + 0.34 + 0.50 + 0.60 + 0.33 = 2.17$$

  3. Calculate the Intensity of Poverty ($A$):

    $$A = \frac{\sum c_i}{q} = \frac{2.17}{5} = 0.434 \text{ (or } 43.4\%)$$

The Intensity of Poverty for this village is $43.4\%$. This means that the average multidimensionally poor person in this village is deprived in $43.4\%$ of the total weighted indicators.

Note: The Incidence of Poverty ($H$) would be $5/10 = 0.5$ (or $50\%$). The final MPI would be $H \times A = 0.5 \times 0.434 = 0.217$.


UNDP MPI Policy Focus for Reducing the Intensity of Poverty

UNDP MPI Policy Focus for Reducing the Intensity of Poverty

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), utilizes the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) as a crucial tool for measuring acute poverty beyond just income. The MPI is a product of two core components: the Headcount Ratio ($H$)—the percentage of the population who are multidimensionally poor—and the Intensity of Poverty ($A$)—the average share of weighted deprivations experienced by poor people.

The overall MPI value is calculated as the product of these two components: $\text{MPI} = H \times A$.

To effectively reduce the overall MPI, policies must target both the number of poor people ($H$) and the intensity of their poverty ($A$). Reducing the intensity of poverty, $A$, means reducing the average number of deprivations experienced by those already identified as poor. This focus is vital because it ensures that interventions reach the poorest of the poor, those suffering from the most overlapping deprivations, who might otherwise be overlooked by initiatives solely focused on lifting people just above the poverty line.

Key Policy Areas for Reducing Poverty Intensity ($A$)

The UNDP MPI, with its ten indicators spanning three dimensions—Health, Education, and Standard of Living—provides a clear roadmap for targeted interventions. Policies aimed at reducing the intensity of poverty must prioritize the deprivations that contribute most heavily to the overall MPI value. This involves a multi-sectoral and integrated approach that addresses the simultaneous deprivations experienced by the same households.

1. Multi-Sectoral Coordination and Targeting

A central policy implication of the MPI is the need to break down "silos" within government. Since poverty is multidimensional, its solution requires coordinated action across various ministries (e.g., Health, Education, Energy, Water, and Housing).

Policy FocusSpecific Action for Reducing Intensity (A)Rationale
Integrated Policy DesignEstablish multi-ministerial coordination mechanisms (e.g., task forces, presidential decrees) to set joint targets and pool resources based on MPI indicator contributions.Ensures that policies address overlapping deprivations (e.g., a family deprived in sanitation, cooking fuel, and child schooling gets integrated support), directly reducing the intensity of their poverty.
Disaggregated BudgetingUse disaggregated MPI data (by subnational region, age, gender of household head) to inform budget allocation, directing a higher proportion of resources to the most deprived regions and population groups.Guarantees that the poorest regions with the highest average intensity of poverty receive prioritized investment, ensuring the principle of "leaving no one behind."
Targeted Safety NetsDesign and implement conditional or unconditional cash transfer programs that address the specific, simultaneous deprivations of MPI-poor households (e.g., conditioning transfers on school attendance and health check-ups).Provides immediate support while incentivizing long-term improvements in health and education, two critical dimensions of intensity.

2. Prioritizing High-Contribution Indicators

Analyzing the percentage contribution of each indicator to the overall MPI allows policymakers to identify the most severe and widespread deprivations—often the drivers of high intensity—and target them for rapid reduction.

MPI DimensionHigh-Impact Intervention ExampleConnection to Intensity Reduction (A)
Health: NutritionUniversal access to fortified food programs for vulnerable groups (children, pregnant women) and comprehensive primary healthcare services.Directly addresses a core, life-long deprivation, potentially removing one of the six weighted deprivations for poor households.
Standard of Living: Cooking FuelAccelerated roll-out of clean cooking fuel subsidies (e.g., LPG or electricity) and infrastructure expansion.Eliminates a highly weighted deprivation (1/18 weight) that affects a vast number of poor people, rapidly lowering their deprivation score.
Standard of Living: SanitationNationwide sanitation campaigns focusing on the construction of improved, non-shared toilet facilities in poor communities.Addressing one of the most common and significant deprivations, which is also interlinked with health outcomes like child mortality.
Education: School AttendanceRemoving all costs associated with education and providing targeted stipends to children from MPI-poor families to ensure continuous enrollment.Directly reduces the education deprivation score, which has a high weighting (1/6), improving future opportunities and breaking the inter-generational poverty cycle.

3. Resilience and Vulnerability Mitigation

Recent UNDP MPI reports have increasingly highlighted the overlap between multidimensional poverty and external shocks, such as conflict and climate change. Policy must anticipate and mitigate these risks to prevent already deprived households from falling into deeper poverty, thereby increasing the intensity.

Policy FocusSpecific Action for Reducing Intensity (A)Rationale
Climate ResilienceInvest in climate-resilient infrastructure (e.g., flood defenses, drought-resistant agriculture) and social protection that is climate-sensitive in regions where poor populations are most exposed to hazards.Shields already deprived households from losing assets and livelihoods due to climate shocks, which would otherwise increase their deprivations and thus the intensity of their poverty.
Conflict-Sensitive DevelopmentPrioritize poverty reduction efforts and basic services delivery in conflict-affected and fragile settings (where poverty is often highest and progress slowest).Targets the populations most at risk of high and chronic deprivations, ensuring that progress is made in the most challenging contexts, which is essential for global intensity reduction.

By using the MPI as a planning and monitoring tool, governments can shift from merely counting the poor to understanding how they are poor, enabling the design of integrated and targeted policies that specifically reduce the intensity of poverty and drive meaningful, sustainable progress toward SDG 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.


UNDP Intensity of Poverty: Indicators and Weights

UNDP Intensity of Poverty: Indicators and Weights

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) utilizes a specific set of indicators and weights to calculate the Intensity of Poverty, which is a key component of its Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). The MPI identifies multiple deprivations at the household and individual levels in health, education, and standard of living. The Intensity of Poverty ($A$) measures the average proportion of weighted deprivations that the poor experience.

The indicators are organized into three dimensions, each given an equal weight of 1/3. Within each dimension, the indicators are also given specific weights, which ultimately sum to the dimension's overall weight of 1/3.

Indicators and Weights for the Intensity of Poverty

The table below outlines the dimensions, indicators, and the corresponding weights used in the UNDP's methodology for calculating the Intensity of Poverty (as part of the MPI).

Dimension (Weight 1/3)IndicatorDeprived If...Indicator Weight
Health (1/3)NutritionAny person under 70 in the household is undernourished.1/6
Child MortalityAny child in the household has died.1/6
Education (1/3)Years of SchoolingNo household member aged 10 or older has completed six years of schooling.1/6
School AttendanceAny school-aged child is not attending school up to the age at which he/she would complete class 8.1/6
Standard of Living (1/3)Cooking FuelThe household cooks with dung, wood, charcoal, or coal.1/18
SanitationThe household has unimproved sanitation or it is improved but shared.1/18
Drinking WaterThe household does not have access to improved drinking water or the water is more than a 30-minute round trip away.1/18
ElectricityThe household has no electricity.1/18
HousingThe floor is made of natural materials (e.g., dirt, sand, or dung).1/18
AssetsThe household does not own more than one of the following assets: radio, TV, telephone, computer, animal cart, bicycle, motorbike, or refrigerator, AND does not own a car or truck.1/18

Calculation Context

The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) is calculated by multiplying the Headcount Ratio ($H$)—the proportion of the population that is multidimensionally poor—by the Intensity of Poverty ($A$).

$$\text{MPI} = H \times A$$

A household is considered multidimensionally poor if the sum of the weights of the deprivations they experience is one-third or more ($\geq 1/3$).

The Intensity of Poverty ($A$) is then the average share of weighted deprivations among the people identified as multidimensionally poor. By using this weighted approach, the MPI, and consequently the Intensity of Poverty, captures not only how many people are poor but also how poor they are. This emphasis on the breadth of deprivations makes it a more comprehensive measure than income-based poverty alone.


UNDP Intensity of Poverty: The Deprivation Score and Poverty Cutoffs

UNDP Intensity of Poverty: The Deprivation Score and Poverty Cutoffs

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), uses the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) to measure acute poverty beyond simple income. A central concept in this calculation is the Deprivation Score ($c$), which determines who is counted as multidimensionally poor and is the basis for calculating the Intensity of Poverty ($A$).

The Deprivation Score for any individual is the sum of the weights of the indicators in which their household is deprived.

MPI Indicators and Weights for the Deprivation Score

The MPI is built upon three equally weighted dimensions: Health, Education, and Standard of Living. This equal weighting is achieved by distributing the total dimension weight ($\frac{1}{3}$) equally among its constituent indicators.

The table below details the 10 indicators and their respective weights, which are summed to get the Deprivation Score.

Dimension (Total Weight 31​)IndicatorIndicator WeightPercentage Weight
Health ($\frac{1}{3}$)Nutrition$\frac{1}{6}$16.67%
Child Mortality$\frac{1}{6}$16.67%
Education ($\frac{1}{3}$)Years of Schooling$\frac{1}{6}$16.67%
School Attendance$\frac{1}{6}$16.67%
Standard of Living ($\frac{1}{3}$)Cooking Fuel$\frac{1}{18}$5.56%
Sanitation$\frac{1}{18}$5.56%
Drinking Water$\frac{1}{18}$5.56%
Electricity$\frac{1}{18}$5.56%
Housing$\frac{1}{18}$5.56%
Assets$\frac{1}{18}$5.56%
TOTAL10 Indicators$\mathbf{1}$$\mathbf{100\%}$

The Poverty Cutoffs Based on the Deprivation Score

The Deprivation Score is crucial as it determines a person's status. The MPI uses a specific cutoff ($k$) to classify a person as multidimensionally poor, vulnerable, or in severe poverty.

Deprivation Score (c)Poverty ClassificationInterpretation
$c \geq \frac{1}{3}$ (or 33.33%)Multidimensionally PoorThe household is deprived in at least one-third of the weighted indicators.
$\frac{1}{5} \leq c < \frac{1}{3}$ (or 20.0% to 33.32%)Vulnerable to Multidimensional PovertyThe household is close to the poverty threshold.
$c \geq \frac{1}{2}$ (or 50.0%)Severe Multidimensional PovertyThe household is deprived in half or more of the weighted indicators.

The Role of the Deprivation Score in Intensity

The Intensity of Poverty ($A$) is one of the two main components of the MPI, the other being the Headcount Ratio ($H$).

The Intensity of Poverty, $A$, is formally defined as the average deprivation score experienced only by those classified as multidimensionally poor.

$$\text{Intensity of Poverty } (A) = \frac{\sum_{i=1}^{q} c_i}{q}$$

Where:

  • $c_i$ is the Deprivation Score of the $i^{th}$ person identified as multidimensionally poor.

  • $q$ is the total number of people identified as multidimensionally poor (the headcount).

A higher average deprivation score ($A$) indicates that the poor population experiences a greater overlap of deprivations, signifying a deeper, more acute form of poverty. For example, an Intensity of Poverty of 45% means that, on average, people identified as poor are deprived in 45% of the total weighted indicators.

By combining the Headcount Ratio ($H$) and the Intensity of Poverty ($A$), the final MPI value ($MPI = H \times A$) becomes sensitive to both the prevalence and the depth of poverty.


The Severity of Deprivation: Calculating the UNDP Intensity of Poverty ($A$)

The Severity of Deprivation: Calculating the UNDP Intensity of Poverty ($A$)

The Intensity of Poverty ($A$) is a vital component of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)'s Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). While the MPI's Headcount Ratio ($H$) tells us how many people are poor, the Intensity of Poverty ($A$) answers the crucial question: "How poor are the poor?" on average.

The MPI is calculated as the product of the Incidence (Headcount Ratio, $H$) and the Intensity ($A$):

$$\text{MPI} = H \times A$$

1. The Foundation: Identifying the MPI Poor

Before calculating intensity, we must first identify the multidimensionally poor population. The Global MPI uses ten indicators across three equally weighted dimensions: Health, Education, and Standard of Living.

DimensionIndicatorIndividual Weight
Health (1/3)Nutrition1/6
Child Mortality1/6
Education (1/3)Years of Schooling1/6
School Attendance1/6
Living Standards (1/3)Cooking Fuel1/18
Sanitation1/18
Drinking Water1/18
Electricity1/18
Housing1/18
Assets1/18

Every person is assigned a deprivation score ($c_i$) by summing the weights of the indicators in which they are deprived. A person is classified as multidimensionally poor if their deprivation score is equal to or greater than the poverty cutoff ($k$), which is 1/3 (or $33.33\%$) of the weighted indicators.

2. The Formula for Intensity of Poverty ($A$)

The Intensity of Poverty ($A$) measures the average deprivation score only among those who have been identified as poor.

The formula is:

$$A = \frac{\sum_{i=1}^{n} c_i(k)}{q}$$

Where:

  • $A$ is the Intensity of Poverty.

  • $c_i(k)$ is the censored deprivation score of person $i$. This score is the person's deprivation score ($c_i$) if they are poor ($c_i \ge k$), and $0$ if they are not poor.

  • $q$ is the total number of multidimensionally poor people in the population.

  • $n$ is the total population.

In practical terms, you sum up the deprivation scores of all the poor people, and then divide that sum by the number of poor people. The result is a percentage that reflects the average share of deprivations the poor face simultaneously.

Example Calculation

Let's consider a community with 100 people, where 20 people are identified as multidimensionally poor (so the Headcount Ratio, $H$, is 20%). The sum of the individual deprivation scores for these 20 poor people is $9.5$ (when expressed as a fraction of 1.0, or $950\%$ as a percentage).

GroupNumber of People (q)Sum of Poor People's Deprivation Scores (∑ci​(k))
MPI Poor$q = 20$$9.5$ (or $950\%$)

Calculation of Intensity of Poverty ($A$):

$$A = \frac{9.5}{20} = 0.475$$

Therefore, the Intensity of Poverty is $47.5\%$. This means that, on average, the poor in this community are deprived in $47.5\%$ of the weighted MPI indicators.

Conclusion

The Intensity of Poverty ($A$) is not merely a number; it is a measure of the depth of suffering experienced by the most vulnerable. By combining it with the Headcount Ratio ($H$) to produce the final MPI value, the UNDP provides a poverty measure that rewards policies which not only lift people out of poverty, but also those that reduce the severity of depations for people who remain poor. Monitoring changes in $A$ is critical for policymakers, as it directs attention toward the fundamental, overlapping deprivations—such as a lack of clean water, education, and adequate nutrition—that require integrated, multi-sectoral solutions to achieve the goal of leaving no one behind.


Conclusion: Measuring the Depth of Poverty

The Intensity of Poverty ($A$) is far more than a simple statistic; it is a critical measure of the depth and severity of deprivation experienced by the world's poor. By calculating the average share of weighted deprivations among those identified as multidimensionally poor, the UNDP provides a powerful metric that goes beyond the mere count of the poor. This emphasis on intensity ensures that poverty reduction efforts are guided not only by how many people are lifted out of poverty, but also by how much the deprivations of those who remain poor are reduced. A robust measure of $A$ directs policymakers toward integrated interventions across health, education, and living standards, rewarding holistic progress and reinforcing the fundamental purpose of the Multidimensional Poverty Index: to comprehensively capture human poverty and ensure no one is left behind.

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Countries with the Lowest Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): A Comparison

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  Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): A Key Health Indicator The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) is a critical health statistic used globally to measure the safety of pregnancy and childbirth. It reflects the number of women who die from pregnancy-related causes compared to the number of live births in a given period. The MMR is a key indicator for tracking progress towards global health goals, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Target 3.1, which aims to reduce the global MMR to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030. Definition and Calculation The Maternal Mortality Ratio is defined as: $$\text{MMR} = \frac{\text{Number of maternal deaths during a given time period}}{\text{Total number of live births during the same time period}} \times 100,000$$ A maternal death is the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its...
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Complex Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG): Leading Hospital and New Technology Innovation

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  Leading Hospitals in Complex Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) is a critical surgical procedure used to treat severe coronary artery disease by redirecting blood around blocked arteries. For patients with multiple blockages, other complex heart conditions, or those who require a re-operation, the procedure is considered Complex CABG . Choosing a hospital with specialized expertise and a track record of success in complex cases is vital for the best possible outcome. These leading institutions often pioneer innovative techniques, maintain high procedure volumes, and demonstrate superior patient safety and outcome metrics. Key Factors for Complex CABG Excellence Hospitals leading in complex CABG often share several key characteristics: High Volume and Experience: Surgeons who perform a high number of complex procedures are generally associated with better outcomes. Total Arterial Revascularization: A preference for using arterial graft...
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WHO Health Status Indicators: Fertility Indicators - The Global Spectrum of Birth Rates

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  WHO Health Status Indicators: Fertility Indicators Fertility indicators are a fundamental component of the World Health Organization's (WHO) framework for monitoring global health status, particularly within the domain of Reproductive Health . These indicators provide crucial insights into population dynamics, reproductive behavior, and the need for, and effectiveness of, family planning and maternal and child health services. They go beyond simple counting of births to reflect the social, economic, and health conditions that influence a woman's reproductive life. Key Fertility Indicators The WHO and its partners, like the UN Population Division and World Bank, use several key indicators to assess fertility levels and trends. The most prominent indicators are: 1. Total Fertility Rate (TFR) The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is arguably the most widely used fertility indicator. Definition: The TFR is the average number of children a woman would have by the end of her childbeari...
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WHO Global Reference List of 100 Core Health Indicators for SDG 3: Metrics for Universal Health

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  The WHO Global Reference List of 100 Core Health Indicators The WHO Global Reference List of 100 Core Health Indicators is a critical tool developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners to standardize and harmonize the measurement of health progress worldwide. It provides a concise, prioritized set of indicators necessary for monitoring a country's health situation, trends, and responses at both national and global levels. Purpose and Significance The primary objective of the Global Reference List is to serve as a normative guidance for the selection of standard health indicators and their definitions. This standardization is vital for several reasons: Global Monitoring: It facilitates consistent tracking of global health priorities, including progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) , particularly those related to health (SDG 3) and health-related targets in other goals. Reduced Reporting Burden: By establishing a common, prioritized set, ...
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WHO Service Coverage Index (SCI): Official UHC Indicator & Data Sources

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  The WHO Service Coverage Indicator The WHO Global Reference List: Service Coverage Indicator is a core component of global health monitoring, specifically designed to track progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) , which is a key target (Target 3.8) of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This indicator forms part of a broader set of core health indicators maintained by the World Health Organization (WHO) to harmonize data collection and reporting across member states. What is the Service Coverage Indicator? The primary indicator for monitoring the service coverage dimension of UHC is the UHC Service Coverage Index (SDG Indicator 3.8.1) . This index is a composite measure that combines data from a select set of tracer interventions (essential health services) to represent a country's average coverage of essential health services on a scale of 0 to 100 . A higher score indicates better service coverage. The index is constructed as the geometric mean of the selecte...
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WHO Core Behavioral Risk Factors Indicators: Surveillance, Sources, and Global Progress

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  WHO Core Behavioral Risk Factors Indicators The World Health Organization (WHO) utilizes a core set of behavioral risk factors indicators to monitor and track progress against Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) globally. These four key areas are the primary focus of international surveillance systems, such as the WHO STEPwise approach to NCD risk factor surveillance (STEPS) . The Four Core Behavioral Risk Factors The "unique" core behavioral risk factors, as defined by the WHO for global NCD monitoring, are: 1. Tobacco Use This indicator focuses on the prevalence of current use of any tobacco product. Key Measure: Prevalence of current tobacco use (e.g., in adults aged 15+, 18+, or in adolescents). This includes both smoked products (cigarettes, cigars, etc.) and smokeless tobacco. Goal: A $30\%$ relative reduction in the prevalence of current tobacco use. 2. Harmful Use of Alcohol This indicator assesses the extent of alcohol consumption that is detrimental to health. K...
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Commercial General Liability (CGL) Insurance: A Business Essential Transforming Liability Coverage

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  Commercial General Liability (CGL) Insurance: A Business Essential Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance is a foundational type of business insurance that provides vital protection against common claims that can arise from everyday business operations.  Often simply referred to as General Liability (GL), this policy acts as a financial shield for your business, covering costs associated with lawsuits stemming from bodily injury, property damage, and personal and advertising injury to third parties. In today's litigious environment, even a seemingly minor incident—like a customer slipping and falling on a wet floor—can escalate into a costly lawsuit. Without CGL coverage, the resulting legal fees, medical expenses, and potential settlements could be catastrophic for a business's financial stability. CGL insurance is critical for virtually every type of business, especially those that interact with the public, have a physical premises, operate at client locations, or e...
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UNDP Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI): The Incidence Rates Key Factors

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  The Incidence of Poverty: Key Factors and the UNDP's Multidimensional Approach Poverty is a complex and multidimensional challenge that extends far beyond a simple lack of income. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), a leader in global development, emphasizes a holistic approach to understanding and addressing poverty. This perspective is most notably captured through the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) , which measures deprivations across several essential aspects of life. The incidence of poverty—the proportion of a population that is poor—is driven by a variety of interconnected factors. The UNDP focuses on overcoming three fundamental drivers of poverty: slow and job-less growth, vulnerability and conflict, and inequalities and exclusion. Recent analysis, particularly through the lens of the MPI, has also highlighted the significant and growing role of climate hazards . The Key Factors Driving the Incidence of Poverty The factors contributing to a high incid...
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