Examining the interstate variations and interlinkage between water poverty and multidimensional poverty in India: evidence from household-level data
International Journal of Social Economics
ISSN: 0306-8293
Article publication date: 23 May 2022
Issue publication date: 25 August 2022
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the present study is to examine the inter-relationship between the multi-dimensional poverty and water poverty using household level data for Indian states.
Design/methodology/approach
A modified water poverty index (MWPI) for both rural and urban households was created using the five components approach and various quantifiable proxies. Principal component analysis (PCA) has been used for the construction of MWPI. Multidimensionality of poverty (MPI) is measured using the Alkire and Foster methodology. Further, the study has utilized correlation and Tobit regression analysis to show the relationship between MWPI and MPI.
Findings
The empirical findings suggest that there is a positive and significant relationship between multidimensional poverty and water poverty, with the extent of relationship being greater in rural areas. The results show that in rural areas all the components of water poverty has significant impact on multidimensional poverty, whereas in urban areas except use component all others have significant impact on multidimensional poverty. Further, components of multidimensional poverty were also found to be significantly impacting water poverty.
Practical implications
The study suggests that policymakers cannot treat both forms of poverty in isolation. If India aims to reduce poverty, then it needs to pay significant attention to improving water conditions.
Originality/value
This is a pioneering attempt to construct water poverty index at the household level while accounting for micro-level differences for Indian economy. It highlights that water poverty leads to multi-dimensional poverty and vice-versa.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-12-2021-0731.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Declaration of interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
Funding sources: This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Citation
Pandey, S., Mohapatra, G. and Arora, R. (2022), "Examining the interstate variations and interlinkage between water poverty and multidimensional poverty in India: evidence from household-level data", International Journal of Social Economics, Vol. 49 No. 10, pp. 1551-1568. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSE-12-2021-0731
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited