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Perceived wealth as a poverty measure for constructing a poverty profile: a case study of four villages in rural Tanzania

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  • Van Campenhout, Bjorn

Abstract

Poverty assessment and targetting usually relies on expensive, large scale survey data. We argue that, in some cases, exploiting information villagers have on their immediate neighbors in close-knit agricultural societies might provide an alternative. We use the results of a participatory wealth ranking gathered in four villages in Tanzania and explore correlations between perceived wealth and indicators related to household characteristics, human capital, housing and durables, and productive assets. Comparing our results to a similar analysis using houshold expenditure survey data, we find that participatory methods confirm the validity of most commonly used poverty indicators, but we also find some remarkable differences.

Suggested Citation

  • Van Campenhout, Bjorn, 2005. "Perceived wealth as a poverty measure for constructing a poverty profile: a case study of four villages in rural Tanzania," IOB Discussion Papers 2005.05, Universiteit Antwerpen, Institute of Development Policy (IOB).
    • Handle: RePEc:iob:dpaper:2005005
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