Did you know that there could be large disparities in the number of poor people depending on the way in which poverty is measured? Comparing the levels and changes in income poverty and multidimensional poverty reveals a complex history, and reinforces the need to complement traditional monetary measures with a multidimensional approach.

The Multidimensional Poverty Peer Network (MPPN) is a platform of more than 60 countries and international organizations focused on measuring multidimensional poverty. The network delivers technical support, training courses and access to a repository of experiences and lessons learnt concerning the measurement of multidimensional poverty.

Thanks to the data sources and properties of the Multidimensional Poverty Index, we are able to disaggregate overall national results by region (state, department, or any political division of a country for which data are representative).

Dimensions Magazine is MPPN’s new communications vehicle to share in a practical, concise and informative way, different countries’ experiences with multidimensional poverty measures.

If the objective of the multidimensional index is to encourage action, then it will not only require a multidimensional design, it will be also necessary to design a solid institutional architecture that supports and legitimizes the process from the index design to implementation.