Measuring multi-dimensional disparity index: A case of Nepal (original) (raw)
Human Development Index: A Comparative Study between Nepal and Other SAARC Member Countries
SAJSSE JOURNAL, 2020
This study aims at assessing the trends, patterns and compositions of indices of Human Development Index (HDI) of Nepal, with the bid of comparing these with those of the SAARC member countries. Using primary and secondary sources of data, the study embarks on a consecutive analysis of the years ranging from 2015 to 2019, while employing a descriptive research design. Simple descriptive tools; content analysis, trend line, and bar diagram are used for data presentation and analysis. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been preparing the global Human Development Index report since 1990. The study argues that misplaced priorities and not necessarily a shortage of resources often prevent countries from reaching acceptable levels of human development indexes, and thus failing to assuring their citizens the necessary universal access to basic essential amenities such as health, education, security and overall human emancipation. It concludes that, this type of comparison is pertinent because it would attract public attention, in terms of policy advocacy, which could lead to extensive positive policy initiatives for more detailed discussions and application of development strategies amongst the SAARC members' countries.
The human development index: A portrait of the 75 districts in Nepal
Asia-Pacific Population Journal, 1995
The Human Development Index: A Portrait of the 75 Districts in Nepal By Shyam Thapa * A great disparity exists in human development among the 75 districts in Nepal With the inception of national multi-year development plans in the 1950s, development received a focused national agenda in Nepal. Eight consecutive development plans stretching over the last 45 years have represented the guiding principles for developing various sectors in the country. During this time, hundreds of billions of rupees have been spent by the Government and through bilateral and multilateral agencies on various development programmes in Nepal. The regional development strategies have been formulated to help minimize disparities among the population and enhance the pace of overall development. The 75 districts of the country have been the focal points for the allocation and mobilization of the resources. At the crossroads of the last 45 years of development efforts in Nepal, it is appropriate to ask: How much progress has been made in each district? and: How do the districts stand up against each other with regard to their respective levels of development? The Human Development Index "Development" is a composite concept. Hence it warrants multiple indicators to assess its impact. In 1990, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) proposed the "Human Development Index" (HDI) as a way to assess the relative position of each country with regard to three main dimensions of development: namely, longevity, knowledge and standard of living. Longevity is measured by expectation of life at birth. Knowledge is measured by literacy and (since 1991) mean years of educational attainment. Standard of living is measured by purchasing power based on real gross domestic product (GDP) per capita adjusted for the local cost of living. The HDI is an unweighted average of the three measures. The index values for each dimension are expressed in terms of the relative distances between the lowest and highest observed values on each indicator, ranging from 0 to 1. The HDI is based on the premise that human development is a "process of expanding choice". The index may thus be considered as a "measure of people's ability to live a long and healthy life, to communicate and to participate in the life of the community and to have sufficient resources to obtain a decent living" (UNDP, 1993). The three are assumed to be critical dimensions in that "if these choices are not available, many other opportunities remain inaccessible" (UNDP, 1990). In its 1994 Report (UNDP, 1994), UNDP calculated the HDI on a different basis than in the previous years. Minimum and maximum values were fixed to calculate the index for each country. The fixed values were: for life expectancy, 25 and 85 years; for literacy, 0 and 100 per cent; for mean years of schooling, 0 and 15 years; and for income (real GDP per capita adjusted for the local cost of living),US 200and200 and 200and40,000. The HDI overlaps with other indicators of development (cf. Hicks and Streeten, 1979; Baster, 1985). However, it differs from the "basic needs approach" in that it "moves away from a commodities-based approach" and instead focuses on the "issues of human choices" (UNDP, 1993).
Nepal Population Journal, 2018
The aged long conventional unidimensional definition and measurement of poverty 'lack of money' in most countries is being replaced by the multidimensional approach and methodology. The launching of MPI report in 2018 implied Nepal also officially to adopt this in national poverty measurement policy strategy. This paper is aimed at to sensitize methodological aspects of MPI among academic and policy implications in Nepalese context. Debate on multidimensional poverty research in addressing rampant poverty dates back the advent of basic-needs and the physical quality of life index approaches of 1970s but both failed to establish a valid and reliable deprivation score to divide population as poor and non-poor like in income line approach. Human development index gave basis to rank countries into four groups as very high, high, medium and low level of human development. However it could not offer a precise deprivation score to divide population into-two as in absolute deprivation and non-deprivation as well as population in borderline of deprivation as alternatives of income poverty. It is the Alkire and Foster's (2007 and 2010) MPI methodology/approach of OPHI and successively adopted in human development reports of UNDP, aggressively being adopted as alternatives of conventional income line methods of poverty measurement and targeting policies. Three dimensional and ten indicators equally weighted MPI based on the same conceptual groundings of 'capability, wellbeing and functions' of Sen are taken as reliable alternative to the conventional income approach of poverty measurement. With the official release of national MPI study report in January 2018, Nepal adopted MPI in its policy option in targeting population living in multiple web of poverty and their targeting. The study found poverty and deprivation studied from MPI perspective is vital to attain multiple goals of 2030 SDGs.
2020
Regional disparity is an integral feature of India's socioeconomic development. As the extent of our country is so large that equal developments in every corner of the country in terms of economic, social, infrastructural etc. quite challenging and far from the reality. The district Uttar Dinajpur located in the eastern part of the country and like other district of North Bengal (including Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Coochbehar, Uttar Dinajpur, Dakshin Dinajpur and Malda) has been poorly placed in comparison to the state of West Bengal, in terms of Human Development Indicators: low literacy level, poor condition in sanitation, and partly availability of electricity and safe drinking water etc. Research on regional disparity is essential for addressing the lacuna in the planning process of development (Sen, 2001). In the present study, an analysis has been made in terms of the inter-block inequality in socio-economic and infrastructural development of Uttar Dinajpur district. For this purpose, 15 indicators have been selected and these further categorizes into 4 dimensions based on their characteristics. The study is associated with Importance performance analysis, Exploratory Factor Analysis for measuring inter-block disparity within the district. Keywords: Regional Disparity, Human Development, Inter-Block Disparity, Exploratory Factor Analysis, Importance Performance Analysis.
SAGE Open
This article examines the extent of regional inequality in multidimensional poverty in Nepal using the nationally representative Nepal Demographic Health Survey (2011) data. The authors present a more robust method of multidimensional poverty index (MPI), particularly in terms of the procedure of estimation and aggregation of the indicators as compared with previous studies. The findings suggest that despite the relatively better economic progress and a considerable reduction in education and health poverty, there is a wide inequality across the regions. Far less has been achieved in the case of reducing the standard of living poverty, that is, wealth poverty and inequalities across the regions. The article finds that global MPI tends to inflate poverty estimates in the case of Nepal. It also suggests that development policies and poverty reduction programs in Nepal must aim to reduce multidimensional poverty, of which deprivation in education, health and basic amenities must be an ...
Journal of Management and Development Studies
The present study examines the status of Human Development Index (HDI) for 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011 for seven provinces of Nepal and projected for 2016, 2021, 2026. Base data are obtained from Nepal Human Development Reports (HDR)1998, 2004, 2009 and 2014. The HDI value for the Province 1, 3, 4 and 5 are relatively higher than national average and that for Province 6 is least followed by Province 2 and Province 7. The largest HDI value for 1996 is 0.499 for Province 1, in 2001 is 0.508 for Province 4, in2006 is 0.558 for Province 3 and in 2011is 0.560 for Province. The estimated value for 2016 is 0.578 for Province 1, 0.60 in 2021. Province 1 will continue to lead with 0.622 in 2026. Meanwhile Province 5 will join the club in 2021. Similarly, the lowest HDI value for 1996 is 0.364 for Province 6 and it is lowest for Province 7, in 2001 with value of 0.364. HDI is 0.44 for Province 6, in 2006, and same province is at the lowest rank with value of 0.463 in 2011. Estimated lowest HDI ...
Status of Human Development Index with Reference to Nepal
Journal of population and development, 2023
This paper is based on 'the status of Human Development Index (HDI)'since 1990 to 2022. Even though the term "human development" is frequently used, its meaning varies depending on the region. The first time Human Development Report (HDR) was introduced in 1990s and new approach and indices for advancing human flourishing in the different time interval. The mainpurpose of this paper is to track the trends in national human development indices and to observe the circumstances surrounding human development. Primary source of secondary data used for meta-analysis of human development reports and related materials.The HDR emphases on a distinct issue that effect on measuring the multi-dimensional human development. HDI is getting popular to measure the development of a country with related to socioeconomic status. It combines three critical indicators namely; education, life expectancy and standard of living. Nepal's HDI position is143 rdranked, among 191 countries in 2021. HDI reports shows in 2022 puts the 0.602value. So, Nepal is Medium human development category. Between 1990 and 2022, Nepal's HDI value changed from 0.399 to 0.602, a change of 50.9 percent. Bagmati province scores the highest HDI value with (0.669) and Kathmandu valley has the highest HDI score with 0.622 values. In comparison with rural areas, urban regions have a higher score, but the gap narrows for the rural areas. So, the Nepalese's Human Development Indicators are increasing trends.
Regional Disparity Analysis: A Case Study on Pabna, Rajshahi and Sirajganj Districts
Bangladesh Planning Research Conference, 2016
Economic inequality is a major challenge the world is facing today. This situation is not different for Bangladesh. Unequal distribution of wealth and other facilities not only cause economic but also social discrepancy. Disparity among the regions can help to identify the privileged and deprived regions, so that guideline for developing the depressed regions can be formulated. This study aims to identify such inequalities among Rajshahi, Pabna and Sirajganj districts. For this study, the methodological tool used is Gini coefficient. The gross domestic product (GDP) for years 1995-96 and 1999-2000, distribution of utility facilities like water, sanitary and electricity for the year 2001 and 2011 have been used as variables to identify the disparity among the districts. The study reveals that for disparity in GDP distribution, calculated Gini index value expressing disparity is 0.044 in 1995-96 and 0.047 in 1999-2000 which is very low. Moreover, Gini index value for utility service facilities (e.g. water, sanitary, electricity) decreases from 2001 to 2011 which is a positive change and indicates that the inequality of service facilities among three districts is almost close to the equity. The study further recommends to broaden the scope of the research taking all 64 districts in order to draw a more comprehensive picture of disparity. Key words: Gini coefficient, Lorenz curve, location quotient, disparity, GDP, service facilities.
Poverty and inequality in Nepal: an analysis of deprivation index 2003-04
2009
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Journal of Political Science
The study aimed to explore the approaches, tools, and indicators around the world to measure governance and how Nepal is taking advantage of them. Measuring governance is a complex phenomenon because it depends on the context in which it is being discussed. Based on the secondary information, the study discussed the introduction of governance, its importance, prevailing approaches, and indicators of measuring governance globally and their uses in Nepal. The article acknowledges that periodic assessment of governance indicators urges countries to continuously strive for better service delivery for further improvements on these governance indicators. Nevertheless, the most widely used governance indicators by developing countries such as Nepal is developed mostly by international organizations and multi-laterals and with their strategic interest limiting their universality. Thus, such indicators may require critical evaluation and customization by developing countries before adoption....
2020
Poverty is not only the severe economic condition of people but it is also the cultural, ethical, social, political, psychological and economic imperative of mankind. It is one of the distressing circumstancesof people in developing countries have to contend with in their daily lives. It is common among the low and middle income class in these countries like Nepal.This research is based on the multidimensional poverty index (MPI) such as those related to education, health, material wellbeing, energy, water and sanitation, structure of house, and access to other services, varies considerably in seven provinces of Nepal. It illustrates the importance of location-specific data in the development of effective poverty reduction strategies of federal and provincial governments.The MPI shows that, the 28.6% of the people of Nepal are still multi-dimensionally poor meaning that their lives are battered by several deprivations simultaneously. This paper also discusses about the trends and me...
Human Development Indices and Governance Interrelationship: Evidence from Nepal
Interdisciplinary journal of management and social sciences, 2024
The objective of this study is to investigate the correlation between human development indices (life expectancy, education and GNI) and six dimensions of governance (e.g., voice and accountability, political stability and no violence, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, rule of law, and control of corruption), while utilizing remittances as a control variable in the analysis. The analysis conducted using the ordinary least squares (OLS) method has revealed that personal remittances have a substantial influence on human development indices. A population that has received a high level of education tends to possess a greater understanding of their rights and is able to actively engage in the process of governance. The establishment of good governance has the potential to facilitate the development and successful execution of effective educational policies. A positive correlation has been identified between human development indices and two aspects of governance, including government efficiency and political stability. Life expectancy index has also associated with regulatory quality of government.
Acta academica karviniensia, 2014
The paper evaluates the level of economic, social and territorial disparities in 6 selected EU Member States and 83 NUTS 2 regions in case of Visegrad Four, Austria and Germany during reference period 2000-2010. The evaluation analysis is based on selected mathematical and statistical methods that lead to construction of simple (non-weighted) synthetic indices of economic, social and territorial disparities and weighted synthetic aggregate index of disparities. The theoretical part of the paper defines the concept of disparities and cohesion in the EU and methodological background of convenient statistical methods for regional disparities evaluation. The empirical part of the paper deals with the measurement, evaluation and comparison of disparities rates in all the selected EU countries and NUTS 2 regions through computed values of synthetic sub-indices of economic, social and territorial disparities and weighted (aggregate) synthetic index of disparities. All the synthetic indices are calculated on the basis of Z-score standardized variables using Euclidean distance method.
2015
Intergroup deprivation and regional disparity in terms of economic wellbeing is a major social concern for the present day diverging world. The aspects of deprivation and disparity call for immediate attention for planning social and human development as well as regional development accordingly. The measurement of intergroup deprivation and regional disparity may help understanding the sources of poverty and backwardness region or group wise. The present study attempts to investigate the relative position of the TTAADC (Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council) and Non-TTAADC areas in the state of Tripura in terms of non-income multidimensional poverty approach. For the purpose, dimension wise performances of the two select areas have been evaluated and compared in terms of multidimensional poverty index following Alkire and Foster method. All total 300 households both Tribal and non-Tribal have been surveyed for the study using stratified random sampling. The empirical find...