Exploring the Multidimensional Poverty Index: National and Children’s Dimensions in Malaysia

Mohd Khairi Ismail (), Suhaiza Hanim Mohamad Zailani, Muhamad Zahid Muhamad (), Nurul Ashikin Alias and Muhammad Nooraiman Zailani
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Mohd Khairi Ismail: Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
Suhaiza Hanim Mohamad Zailani: Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
Muhamad Zahid Muhamad: Faculty of Plantation and Agrotechnology, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Melaka Kampus Jasin, Merlimau 77300, Malaysia
Nurul Ashikin Alias: Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
Muhammad Nooraiman Zailani: Faculty of Business and Economics, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia

World, 2025, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-17

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the challenges faced by children in Malaysia, particularly in terms of poverty and hardship. This has led to concerns about the long-term impact on children’s welfare, particularly in terms of educational and economic inequalities. The multidimensional nature of poverty is often overlooked in public policy discussions, and most countries use National Multidimensional Poverty Indices (MPIs) to define child poverty levels within a nation. This article aims to compare the results of a child-specific Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) with those of a household-specific MPI, considering the uncertainty surrounding the capacity of Household MPIs to accurately identify multidimensionally impoverished children. This study, conducted in Pahang, Malaysia, uses survey data to examine the multidimensional child poverty status and its dynamic changes. The modified child poverty headcount ratio, using the Alkire–Foster methodology, evaluates both the traditional headcount ratio of child poverty and the mean level of deprivation among disadvantaged children. The results indicate low poverty rates in Pahang and its districts. Increased policy attention has been called for due to rising unemployment among parents and the increasing number of bereaved children due to the pandemic.

Keywords: children; poverty; Multidimensional Poverty Index (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: G15 G17 G18 L21 L22 L25 L26 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 R51 R52 R58 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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