About a quarter of the world population resides in the South Asian countries. Recent statistics of the World Bank reveal that the economies of the South Asian countries are growing faster than any other economy of the world but the South Asian region is still home to a large chunk of population which lives below the poverty line. Although the South Asian economies are growing more rapidly than the economies of Sub-Sahara African countries, more people are living below the poverty in the region due to the high population density and population growth. The strong economic growth and advancement in technology have increased the per capita income in this region; however, the total number of poor people has also increased.
The number of people living below the extreme poverty line in this region was likely to fall to 13.5 percent in 2015 from 18.8 percent in 2012 according to the world bank estimate, however, around half billion people are still living on less than US$ 1.25 per day. An updated international poverty line is US$1.90 per day which incorporates the new information on difference in cost of living across various countries in the world. This new poverty yardstick takes into account the real purchasing power and has been revised from the previous US$1.25 per day. This revision has also helped reduce the estimated number of people living below the poverty line as compared to the 18.8 percent in 2012.
Most of these statistics have been prepared by international agencies such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank on the basis of macroeconomics aggregates. Although some of the South Asian economies are capable of producing such data, many often rely on the statistics produced by other agencies that produce such data by using economic modeling, therefore, which may not reflect the true picture of the economies.
The specific purpose of the planned workshop is to enable the employees of the national statistical offices (NSO), statisticians and stakeholders of the South Asian countries in preparing poverty related statistics in their respective countries and to create a platform where they can exchange knowledge on the subject. Furthermore, after participating in the workshop they are expected to prepare poverty related statistics in general and Small Area Estimate (SAE) of poverty in particular in their respective countries.
National Statistical Institute (NSI), Nepal is taking the lead to organize the workshop in Kathmandu, Nepal in December 2017. Two internationally renowned experts will deliver lectures and presentations and engage the participants in group exercises. These deliberations provide the participants with knowledge on conceptual framework of SAE, provide a platform for tool sharing and interactive sessions. The workshop will introduce theoretical contents and practical tools to enhance their capacity by engaging them in discussions, group works with case studies, and analysis of experiences. These cases will help as practical activities aimed at putting the issues into real context.
WHO IS THIS WORKSHOP FOR?
Candidates wishing to participate in this regional workshop are:
- Scholars who are interested in measurement of poverty, particularly in SAE
- Employees of National Statistical Office (NSO) and Central Bank who are involved in measurement of poverty in their respective countries
- Independent researchers who are interested in measuring Small Area Estimation of Poverty using geography disaggregation of poverty indicators with the combination of National Population and Housing Census and Living Standard Survey. This will help allocate resources to pinpoint the poor at local (district, Ilaka, municipalities and villages) level.
- Employees of the government authorities who are interested to gain knowledge on Living Standard Measurement Survey initiated by World Bank.
- Statisticians interested in Multi Dimensional Poverty Index
PARTICIPANTS MUST BE:
- Proficient in English
- Be able to share the knowledge they will have achieved from this workshop in their Organization/Administration.
OBJECTIVES:
The major objectives of the workshop are to provide the participants with:
• Understanding of key concepts about the poverty statistics and international practices of measurement
• Hands on experience of using credible and internationally comparable tools and techniques to measure poverty
• Knowledge of deriving poverty data using Living Standard Measurement Survey
In order to achieve the above mentioned objectives, a combination of theoretical and practical methodologies in a modular structure will be applied in workshop. Each of the modules comprises presentations, discussions, group work, case studies and other relevant practical activities.
Upon successful completion of event, participants will be able to:
• derive the level of poverty from the Cost of Basic Needs (CBN) approach using the consumption expenditures
• derive the head count index, poverty gap index and square poverty index
• derive the Small Area Estimation (SAE) poverty index from the National Population and Housing Census data and Living Standard Measurement Survey data
EXPERTS AND FACILITATORS
Two international experts on measuring poverty incidents will deliver conceptual, practical, tool sharing and interactive lectures and presentations to the participants of the workshop.
In addition to the international experts, there will be a few facilitators who will facilitate the proceedings of the workshops. These facilitators also carry an immense knowledge in the field of poverty measurement.
The workshop will also have discussion, group work with case studies sessions where the participants have opportunity to analyze their experiences. The facilitators support the participants throughout the workshop and ensure that the participants get maximum out of the sessions.
STUDY TOUR
In addition to the workshop, National Statistical Insitute will organize study tour to the participants to provide them the first hand information on how the relevant institutions in Nepal are executing the task of poverty measurement. The participants will have the opportunity to interact with the officials of Central Bureau of Statistics and Poor Household Identification Board of Nepal.
Household Section of Central Bureau of Statistics i.e. National Statistical Office (NSO) of Nepal has conducted the surveys of Nepal Living Standard Survey in 1995/96, 2003/04 and 2010/11. Participants will visit Central Bureau of Statistics Nepal and ask the methodology of conducting of household survey.
Poor Household Identification Board has been established with a view to identify the poor household in Nepal and it conducts several poverty identification and measurement functions.
National Statistical Institute (NSI) invites all high level decision makers in national, regional and local administration using statistics.
