By John Lee.
The Government of Iraq, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), has officially launched the Iraq Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) analytical report.
The 2024 MPI reveals that poor populations experience 10.8% of total deprivations, particularly in education, housing, and access to digital services. However, the report also notes significant progress, including a nearly 50% reduction in the national MPI since 2011, along with a continued decline in income poverty, which currently stands at 17.5%.
H.E. Dr. Muhammed Tamim, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning of Iraq, said:
"This report is more than just numbers; it is a policy tool that informs us about vulnerable groups and ways to support them. This report will directly contribute to identifying basic needs and improving the conditions of citizens in the governorates, in light of the priorities it reflects, spatially and sectorally. Although the value of the multidimensional poverty index decreased from 11.4% in 2018 to 10.8% in 2024, we are determined to adopt policies and plans to continuously reduce the value of this index."
The Multidimensional Poverty Index also uncovers key disparities often overlooked in traditional poverty statistics, providing detailed evidence of deprivation at the governorate and sector levels, especially across education, health, and living standards.
Sascha Graumann, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Iraq, said:
"Iraq has made important gains, but these data also show us where we need to focus our collective efforts ... While some governorates, such as Kirkuk and Baghdad, have shown encouraging results, others -- such as Muthanna, Missan, and Salah al-Din, still face relatively high levels of deprivation across several dimensions. Now that material poverty is beginning to decline, it is time to ensure that no region, woman, or community in Iraq is left behind."
The report consists of six sections, starting with the introduction, then the national context, including a historical background and a briefing on the IP measurement in Iraq.
It also presents an introduction to multidimensional poverty measurement by demonstrating household basic characteristics related to poverty as well as the purpose of poverty measurement.
Section three addresses the methodology of MPI measurement, including the Alkire-Foster Method for calculating indicators, data sources, and the structure adopted in building measures-namely, the unit of identification and analysis, dimensions, indicators, deprivation cutoffs, weights, poverty cutoffs, and levels of deprivation.
Section four presents a detailed analysis of key results of multidimensional poverty by area, region, governorate, household size, education level of the household head, and household income.
Section five addresses the policy implications aimed at investing poverty measurement results in targeting the poor and reducing multidimensional poverty levels.
Finally, section six presents the recommendations, followed by the appendices.
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(Source: UNDP)
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