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Economic Well-being and Non-economic Well-being: A Review of the Meaning and Measurement of Poverty

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  • Andrew Sumner

Abstract

This paper discusses the measurement of poverty and well-being. A historical overview is given of the last fifty years. This is followed by discussion of three groupings of indicators: those measures based primarily on economic well-being; those based on non-economic well-being and composite indicators. It is argued that the choice of indicator should reflect its purpose and that economic measures are best when quick, rough-and-ready, short run, aggregate inferences are required. In contrast, non-economic measures are better when greater depth on medium- or longer-term trends and/or dis-aggregation are required. [Research Paper No. 2004/30]

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  • Andrew Sumner, 2010. "Economic Well-being and Non-economic Well-being: A Review of the Meaning and Measurement of Poverty," Working Papers id:3268, eSocialSciences.
    • Handle: RePEc:ess:wpaper:id:3268
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    data; statistics; poverty; well-being;
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