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Somalia Launched Its First Multidimensional Poverty Index Report
In a landmark achievement, Somalia has unveiled its first-ever Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Report, signaling a critical milestone in the nation’s fight against poverty and its commitment to sustainable development.
The report, developed by the Somalia National Bureau of Statistics (SNBS) and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative (OPHI) at the University of Oxford, introduces a new way to measure poverty beyond monetary factors. By adopting a multidimensional approach, Somalia joins over 45 countries globally in enhancing the analysis and measurement of poverty to inform holistic, inclusive policies and programs.
The MPI report was officially launched at a ceremony in Mogadishu last month, attended by Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama, along with ministers, key stakeholders, and development partners. Speaking at the event, Deputy Prime Minister Salah emphasized the importance of data-driven strategies in addressing poverty:
“Reliable and analytical data, like Somalia’s first MPI report, is critical for driving national priorities. Countries like Nepal and the Maldives have shown us that progress is possible within a short time, serving as a source of inspiration for Somalia to reduce poverty, we must develop Somali-owned programs rooted in community engagement and inter-ministerial collaboration. For instance, the Ministry of Education can inform the Ministry of Labor about teacher recruitment, while both the Ministries of Education and Health can partner on initiatives like school feeding programs to address poverty in an integrated way.” said Salah Jama, Deputy Prime Minister.
A Transformative Tool for Policy and Action
The MPI report is a critical tool to prioritize resources where they are most needed and to measure the effectiveness of poverty reduction programs. Traditionally, Somalia has measured poverty based on income and expenditure levels. However, this approach does not fully capture the depth and diversity of deprivation experienced by individuals and communities.
The report advances discussions on the best approaches, not only identifying the problem but also addressing poverty through MPI-informed policies that integrate the needs of vulnerable groups, track poverty levels, and develop multidimensional solutions.
The MPI introduces a multidimensional approach, analyzing poverty across 13 indicators grouped into five key dimensions: education, health, living standards, services, and inclusion. A person is classified as multidimensionally poor if they are deprived in 35 percent or more of these indicators.
Key Findings
The MPI report paints a stark picture of poverty in Somalia:
- 67% of Somalis are classified as multidimensionally poor.
- On average, people are deprived in 54% of the indicators.
- Poverty rates are highest among the nomadic population (81.5%) and rural areas (74.3%), compared to urban areas (61.7%).
- Regions with the highest poverty levels include Bakool (97.4%) and Hiraan (90.1%), while Awdal (46.2%) and Lower Shabelle (47.4%) have significantly lower rates of poverty.
The nomadic population faces particularly high deprivation rates across multiple indicators, including overcrowding (78.2%) and lack of education, with 77.6% of nomadic households reporting no adult having completed eight years of schooling.
Titus Kuuyuor, UNDP Somalia’s Portfolio Manager for Resilience and Climate Change, highlighted the transformative potential of the report:
“The launch of Somalia’s first-ever Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Report marks a pivotal milestone in the nation’s development journey. This ground-breaking report provides a comprehensive framework to understand and address poverty in its many dimensions, offering a solid foundation to inform strategies, foster partnerships, and drive sustainable progress for all Somalis.” He said.
Professor Sabina Alkire, Director of OPHI, commended Somalia’s efforts:
“We are delighted that the capable and motivated team in Somalia have prepared a permanent official MPI for Somalia. We hope that this innovative MPI will be used by actors across government and society to reduce poverty in all its forms sharply and effectively, and that the next update of the MPI will make success visible.”
The findings of the MPI align with Somalia’s National Transformation Plan (2020–2024) and aim to guide policy by informing the development of effective poverty reduction strategies, prioritize resources to address the needs, and measure progress by tracking the impact of poverty reduction programs. The report also serves as a call to action for bilateral, multilateral, and private sector partners to collaborate with the Somali government in supporting the implementation of the MPI framework.
By providing insights into the nature of deprivation faced by Somali communities, the MPI lays the foundation for Somali-owned solutions that are rooted in resilience, inclusivity, and sustainable development.
The report is based on data from the 2022 Somalia Integrated Household Budget Survey (SIHBS) and represents the most comprehensive poverty assessment conducted in Somalia to date.
Source: UNDP Somalia
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