Why the poor in rural Malawi are where they are: an analysis of the spatial determinants of the local prevalence of poverty

We examine the spatial determinants of the prevalence of poverty for small spatially defined populations in rural Malawi. Poverty prevalence was estimated using a small-area poverty estimation technique. A theoretical approach based on the risk chain conceptualization of household economic vulnerabi...

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Autores principales: Benson, Todd, Chamberlin, Jordan, Rhinehart, Ingrid
Formato: Brief
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: International Food Policy Research Institute 2005
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/160610
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author Benson, Todd
Chamberlin, Jordan
Rhinehart, Ingrid
author_browse Benson, Todd
Chamberlin, Jordan
Rhinehart, Ingrid
author_facet Benson, Todd
Chamberlin, Jordan
Rhinehart, Ingrid
author_sort Benson, Todd
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description We examine the spatial determinants of the prevalence of poverty for small spatially defined populations in rural Malawi. Poverty prevalence was estimated using a small-area poverty estimation technique. A theoretical approach based on the risk chain conceptualization of household economic vulnerability guided our selection of a set of potential risk and coping strategies — the determinants of our model — that could be represented spatially. These were used in two analyses to develop global and local models, respectively. In our global model—a spatial error model — only eight of the more than two dozen determinants selected for analysis proved significant. In contrast, all of the determinants considered were significant in at least some of the local models of poverty prevalence. The local models were developed using geographically weighted regression. Moreover, these models provided strong evidence of the spatial nonstationarity of the relationship between poverty and its determinants. That is, in determining the level of poverty in rural communities, where one is located in Malawi matters. This result for poverty reduction efforts in rural Malawi implies that such efforts should be designed for and targeted at the district and subdistrict levels. A national, relatively inflexible approach to poverty reduction is unlikely to enjoy broad success.
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spelling CGSpace1606102025-11-06T04:42:15Z Why the poor in rural Malawi are where they are: an analysis of the spatial determinants of the local prevalence of poverty Benson, Todd Chamberlin, Jordan Rhinehart, Ingrid poverty households rural communities statistical methods We examine the spatial determinants of the prevalence of poverty for small spatially defined populations in rural Malawi. Poverty prevalence was estimated using a small-area poverty estimation technique. A theoretical approach based on the risk chain conceptualization of household economic vulnerability guided our selection of a set of potential risk and coping strategies — the determinants of our model — that could be represented spatially. These were used in two analyses to develop global and local models, respectively. In our global model—a spatial error model — only eight of the more than two dozen determinants selected for analysis proved significant. In contrast, all of the determinants considered were significant in at least some of the local models of poverty prevalence. The local models were developed using geographically weighted regression. Moreover, these models provided strong evidence of the spatial nonstationarity of the relationship between poverty and its determinants. That is, in determining the level of poverty in rural communities, where one is located in Malawi matters. This result for poverty reduction efforts in rural Malawi implies that such efforts should be designed for and targeted at the district and subdistrict levels. A national, relatively inflexible approach to poverty reduction is unlikely to enjoy broad success. 2005 2024-11-21T09:51:19Z 2024-11-21T09:51:19Z Brief https://hdl.handle.net/10568/160610 en Open Access application/pdf International Food Policy Research Institute Benson, Todd; Chamberlin, Jordan; Rhinehart, Ingrid. Why the poor in rural Malawi are where they are: an analysis of the spatial determinants of the local prevalence of poverty. FCND Discussion Paper Brief 198. International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://hdl.handle.net/10568/160610
spellingShingle poverty
households
rural communities
statistical methods
Benson, Todd
Chamberlin, Jordan
Rhinehart, Ingrid
Why the poor in rural Malawi are where they are: an analysis of the spatial determinants of the local prevalence of poverty
title Why the poor in rural Malawi are where they are: an analysis of the spatial determinants of the local prevalence of poverty
title_full Why the poor in rural Malawi are where they are: an analysis of the spatial determinants of the local prevalence of poverty
title_fullStr Why the poor in rural Malawi are where they are: an analysis of the spatial determinants of the local prevalence of poverty
title_full_unstemmed Why the poor in rural Malawi are where they are: an analysis of the spatial determinants of the local prevalence of poverty
title_short Why the poor in rural Malawi are where they are: an analysis of the spatial determinants of the local prevalence of poverty
title_sort why the poor in rural malawi are where they are an analysis of the spatial determinants of the local prevalence of poverty
topic poverty
households
rural communities
statistical methods
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/160610
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