A statistical evaluation of the effectiveness of multidimensional relative poverty alleviation efforts in China

China has successfully eliminated absolute poverty and thus its poverty reduction efforts are now entering a new phase aimed at alleviating relative poverty. However, the existing studies do not yet statistically measure the effectiveness of these relative poverty alleviation efforts. Therefore, by extending the Alkire–Foster method, we adopt a “triple cut-off approach” to evaluate the effectiveness of multidimensional poverty reduction efforts in China. Furthermore, we construct two indices—the chronic multidimensional relative poverty alleviation index (CMAI) and the chronic multidimensional relative poverty return index (CMRI)—to measure China’s relative poverty dynamics. The results show that: (1) the value of CMAI is greater than that of CMRI in China; (2) income, savings and educational expenses have a material impact on both the CMAI and the CMRI; and (3) the effectiveness of relative poverty alleviation efforts in each province can be measured along four dimensions. The government should therefore attach great importance to areas with low poverty reduction effectiveness by favoring these areas in their future poverty reduction policies and resource-allocation decisions. This paper provides a statistical measurement tool for assessing China’s relative poverty management that considers the effectiveness of governance, reveals which regions are less effective in alleviating poverty or are at a greater risk of returning to poverty, and supports policy formulation in the post-2020 era.