Covariates of Multidimensional Poverty in Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the multidimensional poverty status of households in Nigeria using one of the most recent available household survey data, the 2018 Demographic Household Survey data. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, the fuzzy sets measures as well as the Tobit regression model. The results showed that 59.44% of the household heads were between 31 and 50 years of age with the mean age being 43.96 years, implying that most of the household heads were within their economically active years and, as such, should be less vulnerable to poverty than households with older heads. It also showed that the male gender, which is typically favoured over the female in terms of economic opportunities and, hence, is less vulnerable to poverty, accounted for 85.69% of the household heads. Also, 41.53% of the household head population had no formal education while 17.84%, 31.84% and 8.79% had primary, secondary and higher education respectively. This high proportion of household heads in the sample with no formal education as well as the generally low educational attainment presents a significant barrier to poverty alleviation Assets ownership influenced the poverty score of each household head as household heads with fewer assets tended to have higher poverty scores. Moreover, male headed households owned more assets than female headed households. The study concluded that other dimensions to poverty measurement in individuals and households, such as health, education and living standards, were as important as the monetary measures. It was recommended that in order to reduce poverty in households, basic social amenities, healthcare facilities and welfare support needed to be provided for households.