| Code | SI.POV.NAHC |
| Indicator Name | Poverty headcount ratio at national poverty lines (% of population) |
| Short definition | National poverty headcount ratio is the percentage of the population living below the national poverty line(s). National estimates are based on population-weighted subgroup estimates from household surveys. For economies for which the data are from EU-SILC, the reported year is the income reference year, which is the year before the survey year. |
| Long definition | National poverty headcount ratio is the percentage of the population living below the national poverty line(s). National estimates are based on population-weighted subgroup estimates from household surveys. For economies for which the data are from EU-SILC, the reported year is the income reference year, which is the year before the survey year. |
| Source | World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are compiled from official government sources or are computed by World Bank staff using national (i.e. country–specific) poverty lines., World Bank (WB), note: Data are compiled from official government sources or are computed by World Bank staff using national (i.e. country–specific) poverty lines. |
| Topic | Poverty: Poverty rates |
| Dataset | WDI |
| Unit of measure | % |
| Periodicity | Annual |
| Reference period | 2000-2024 |
| Aggregation method | Population-weighted average |
| Statistical concept and methodology | Methodology: Poverty headcount ratio among the population is measured based on national (i.e. country-specific) poverty lines. A country may have a unique national poverty line or separate poverty lines for rural and urban areas, or for different geographic areas to reflect differences in the cost of living or sometimes to reflect differences in diets and consumption baskets.
Poverty estimates at national poverty lines are computed from household survey data collected from nationally representative samples of households. These data must contain sufficiently detailed information to compute a comprehensive estimate of total household income or consumption (including consumption or income from own production), from which it is possible to construct a correctly weighted distribution of per capita consumption or income.
National poverty lines are the benchmark for estimating poverty indicators that are consistent with the country's specific economic and social circumstances. National poverty lines reflect local perceptions of the level and composition of consumption or income needed to be non-poor. The perceived boundary between poor and non-poor typically rises with the average income of a country and thus does not provide a uniform measure for comparing poverty rates across countries. While poverty rates at national poverty lines should not be used for comparing poverty rates across countries, they are appropriate for guiding and monitoring the results of country-specific national poverty reduction strategies.
Almost all national poverty lines in developing economies are anchored to the cost of a food bundle - based on the prevailing national diet of the poor - that provides adequate nutrition for good health and normal activity, plus an allowance for nonfood spending. National poverty lines must be adjusted for inflation between survey years to remain constant in real terms and thus allow for meaningful comparisons of poverty over time. Because diets and consumption baskets change over time, countries periodically recalculate the poverty line based on new survey data. In such cases the new poverty lines should be deflated to obtain comparable poverty estimates from earlier years.
This series only includes estimates that to the best of our knowledge are reasonably comparable over time for a country. For economies for which the data are from EU-SILC, the reported year is the income reference year, which is the year before the survey year. For all other economies, the year reported is the year in which the underlying household survey data were collected or, when the data collection period bridged two calendar years, the year in which data collection started.
Statistical concept(s): National poverty headcount ratio refers to the percentage of a population whose consumption or income per day falls short of the national poverty line. National poverty lines vary by country and over time. In low- and middle-income countries, national poverty lines tend to be absolute poverty lines, thus reflecting the estimated minimum amount of money needed to cover basic needs. In high-income countries, national poverty lines tend to be relative poverty lines, thus reflecting the typical amount of money needed for an individual to afford the typical standard of living and without any restraints to participating fully in the societies in which they live. National poverty lines tend to grow with economic growth, especially in high-income or upper-middle-income countries. |
| Development relevance | The poverty rate as defined by national poverty lines reflects the share of the population that fails to meet the standard a country thinks is necessary to cover basic needs (typically in low- and middle-income countries) or afford a decent lifestyle (typically in high-income countries). SDG 1.2 aims to reduce by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions, by 2030. |
| Other notes | This series only includes estimates that to the best of our knowledge are reasonably comparable over time for a country. Due to differences in estimation methodologies and poverty lines, estimates should not be compared across countries. |
| License URL | https://datacatalog.worldbank.org/public-licenses#cc-by |
| License Type | CC BY-4.0 |
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