ADAPTING THE UNDP MPI TO DEVELOP A NEW MULTIDIMENSIONAL MEASURE OF CIRCUMSTANTIAL POVERTY FOR HARARE PROVINCE, ZIMBABWE

Abstract

The objective of this study is to construct a new Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). To achieve the objective, the study uses the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) MPI to produce a new multidimensional poverty measure using dimensions and indicators from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030.  The province of Harare in Zimbabwe is used a reference point in this study. Alkire-Foster Method (AF) methodology is used to model the logistic regression which employs 36 indicator variables across various dimensions of poverty. The analysis based on the logistic regression reveals the following insights. First, the MPI for Harare province is 37%. Moreover, Harare MPI by location is estimated to be: Harare rural - 50%, high density locations - 42%, medium density - 25% and low density is 15%. The analysis reinforces the generally accepted belief that the Harare province is witnessing an extremely high level of poverty. The extreme level of poverty in the province of Harare requires immediate interventions for the country to achieve SDG targets of reducing poverty in all its dimensions in a dedicated approach that ensures that no human lives under the poverty line (UN, 2019). The first port of call is to reduce poverty in rural locations in Harare report a head count poverty of 100% where the need for policy and programmatic interventions is most pronounced.