Introduction and Summary of Poverty and Well-Being in East Africa: A Multifaceted Economic Approach

This volume is a collection of selected studies on poverty and well-being in East Africa. Eleven authors agreed to have their papers included in this volume. The studies can be grouped into four domains: child poverty and malnutrition, dynamics and determinants of poverty, multidimensional measures of poverty, and energy-environment-poverty relationships. The core argument for use of multidimensional poverty and for bringing out this edited volume is the need to account for all dimensions of poverty in its measurement and classification of individuals and households as poor/nonpoor. Research on the use of a multidimensional measure of poverty has received much attention. Poverty dimensions include material standards of living, health, education, housing, personal security, access to information, freedom, participation in an organization, corruption, trust, and employment. The studies in this volume together provide a comprehensive picture of the state of multidimensional poverty, its measurement, causal factors and policies and practices in Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Tanzania. In these countries poverty rates are high and multifaceted and these represent a major challenge to the governments and organizations which are aiming at alleviating poverty and promoting the well-being of the poor. By employing diverse up-to-date data and methods, the papers in this volume provide a wealth of empirical evidence and sound recommendations to researchers and policymakers in East Africa to design and implement effective and inclusive strategies and policies for promoting development and reducing poverty.