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Exploring the Multidimensional Poverty Index: National and Children’s Dimensions in Malaysia

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  • Mohd Khairi Ismail

    (Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
    Faculty of Business & Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Terengganu Kampus Dungun, Dungun 23000, Malaysia)

  • Suhaiza Hanim Mohamad Zailani

    (Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia)

  • Muhamad Zahid Muhamad

    (Faculty of Plantation and Agrotechnology, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Melaka Kampus Jasin, Merlimau 77300, Malaysia)

  • Nurul Ashikin Alias

    (Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia)

  • Muhammad Nooraiman Zailani

    (Faculty of Business and Economics, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the challenges faced by children in Malaysia, particularly in terms of poverty and hardship. This has led to concerns about the long-term impact on children’s welfare, particularly in terms of educational and economic inequalities. The multidimensional nature of poverty is often overlooked in public policy discussions, and most countries use National Multidimensional Poverty Indices (MPIs) to define child poverty levels within a nation. This article aims to compare the results of a child-specific Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) with those of a household-specific MPI, considering the uncertainty surrounding the capacity of Household MPIs to accurately identify multidimensionally impoverished children. This study, conducted in Pahang, Malaysia, uses survey data to examine the multidimensional child poverty status and its dynamic changes. The modified child poverty headcount ratio, using the Alkire–Foster methodology, evaluates both the traditional headcount ratio of child poverty and the mean level of deprivation among disadvantaged children. The results indicate low poverty rates in Pahang and its districts. Increased policy attention has been called for due to rising unemployment among parents and the increasing number of bereaved children due to the pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohd Khairi Ismail & Suhaiza Hanim Mohamad Zailani & Muhamad Zahid Muhamad & Nurul Ashikin Alias & Muhammad Nooraiman Zailani, 2025. "Exploring the Multidimensional Poverty Index: National and Children’s Dimensions in Malaysia," World, MDPI, vol. 6(1), pages 1-17, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jworld:v:6:y:2025:i:1:p:30-:d:1594643
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alkire, Sabina & Foster, James & Seth, Suman & Santos, Maria Emma & Roche, Jose Manuel & Ballon, Paola, 2015. "Multidimensional Poverty Measurement and Analysis," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199689491, Decembrie.
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    4. Sabina Alkire, James E. Foster, Suman Seth, Maria Emma Santos, José M. Roche and Paola Ballon, 2015. "Multidimensional Poverty Measurement and Analysis: Chapter 7 - Data and Analysis," OPHI Working Papers ophiwp088_ch7.pdf, Queen Elizabeth House, University of Oxford.
    5. Sabina Alkire & Maria Santos, 2013. "A Multidimensional Approach: Poverty Measurement & Beyond," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 112(2), pages 239-257, June.
    6. Sabina Alkire & James E. Foster & Suman Seth & Maria Emma Santos & Jose M. Roche & Paola Ballon, 2015. "Multidimensional Poverty Measurement and Analysis: Chapter 2 - The Framework," OPHI Working Papers 83, Queen Elizabeth House, University of Oxford.
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