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Methods matter: The sensitivity of Malawian poverty estimates to definitions, data, and assumptions

Author

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  • Ulrik Beck
  • Karl Pauw
  • Richard Mussa

Abstract

This paper decomposes differences between the official poverty estimates of Malawi and a set of revised estimates by Pauw et al. (2016) with respect to five methodological differences: (i) the use of a revised set of unit conversion factors; (ii) the specification and use of regional poverty lines as opposed to a single national poverty line; (iii) the use of implicit survey-based prices rather than external price data; (iv) estimation of food separate poverty lines in the two surveys; and (v) permitting a change in the food/non-food composition of the consumption basket over time.

Suggested Citation

  • Ulrik Beck & Karl Pauw & Richard Mussa, 2015. "Methods matter: The sensitivity of Malawian poverty estimates to definitions, data, and assumptions," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2015-126, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2015-126
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    File URL: https://www.wider.unu.edu/sites/default/files/Publications/Working-paper/PDF/wp2015-126.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Arndt, Channing & McKay, Andy & Tarp, Finn (ed.), 2016. "Growth and Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198744795.
    2. Pauw, Karl & Beck, Ulrik & Mussa, Richard, 2014. "Did rapid smallholder-led agricultural growth fail to reduce rural poverty? Making sense of Malawi's poverty puzzle," WIDER Working Paper Series 123, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    3. Karl Pauw & Ulrik Beck & Richard Mussa, 2014. "Did Rapid Smallholder-Led Agricultural Growth Fail to Reduce Rural Poverty?: Making Sense of Malawi's Poverty Puzzle," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2014-123, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    4. Gunther, Isabel & Grimm, Michael, 2007. "Measuring pro-poor growth when relative prices shift," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 82(1), pages 245-256, January.
    5. Verduzco-Gallo, à ñigo & Ecker, Olivier & Pauw, Karl, 2014. "Changes in food and nutrition security in Malawi: Analysis of recent survey evidence," MaSSP working papers 6, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
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    Cited by:

    1. Mussa, Richard, 2017. "To Err is Human: Inconsistencies in Food Conversion Factors and Inequality in Malawi," MPRA Paper 75981, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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