Title: Multidimensional poverty analysis and its determinants in Rwanda

Authors: Gerard Bikorimana; Shengmin Sun

Addresses: School of Social, Political and Administrative Sciences, College of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda; Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, China ' Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, China

Abstract: This paper analyses multidimensional poverty and its determinant in Rwanda by using Rwanda's demographic health survey and integrated household living conditions survey. Analytical techniques used include the current multidimensional poverty index, descriptive statistics and ordered probit regression. The results revealed that multiple deprivations are found mostly in the rural settings compared to urban areas. The standard of living dimension is largest contributor to multidimensional poverty in both rural and urban areas of Rwanda. In order to improve from multidimensional poverty and its determinants, policies towards supporting the promotion of women especially by reinforcing female's education and intensifying women's employment opportunities, strengthening family planning program and reducing poverty in regions with special focus on poverty reduction in rural areas, mainly in the western and northern provinces will be effective. In addition, supporting farmers who do not possess farmland and increasing vocation program may be also helpful for poverty reduction in Rwanda.

Keywords: multidimensional poverty; rural; urban; ordered probit regression; Rwanda.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEPEE.2020.110440

International Journal of Economic Policy in Emerging Economies, 2020 Vol.13 No.5, pp.555 - 584

Accepted: 27 Dec 2019
Published online: 19 Oct 2020 *

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