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Equity‐regarding poverty measures: differences in needs and the role of equivalence scales

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  • Udo Ebert

Abstract

The paper investigates the definition of equity‐regarding poverty measures when there are different household types in the population. It demonstrates the implications of a between‐type regressive transfer principle for poverty measures, for the choice of poverty lines, and for the measurement of living standard. The role of equivalence scales, which are popular in empirical work on poverty measurement, is clarified. Ce mémoire examine la définition de mesures de pauvreté fondées sur l'équité quand existent différents types de ménages dans la population. On montre les implications d'un principe de transfert régressif entre types de ménages pour les mesures de pauvreté, pour la définition des seuils de pauvreté, et pour la mesure du niveau de vie. On clarifie le rôle des échelles d'équivalence qui sont d'un usage généralisé dans les travaux sur la mesure de la pauvreté.

Suggested Citation

  • Udo Ebert, 2010. "Equity‐regarding poverty measures: differences in needs and the role of equivalence scales," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 43(1), pages 301-322, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:canjec:v:43:y:2010:i:1:p:301-322
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-5982.2009.01573.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Elisabetta Santarelli, "undated". "A review of the literature on subjective poverty in Europe: a focus on data sources," Working Papers 118/13, Sapienza University of Rome, Metodi e Modelli per l'Economia, il Territorio e la Finanza MEMOTEF.
    2. Udo Ebert, 2011. "The redistribution of income when needs differ," Working Papers V-331-11, University of Oldenburg, Department of Economics, revised Feb 2011.
    3. repec:old:wpaper:331 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. repec:zbw:hohpro:331 is not listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty

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