This paper estimates a Multidimensional Poverty Index for Gauteng province of South Africa. The Alkire-Forster method is applied on Quality of Life survey data for 2011 and 2013 which offer an excellent opportunity for estimating poverty at smaller geographical areas. The results suggest that the Multidimensional Poverty Index for Gauteng is low but varies markedly by municipality and by ward, as well as across income groups. Not only are low income households more likely to be multidimensionally poor, they also suffer from higher intensities of poverty. Multidimensional poverty is highest in areas of low economic activity located on the edges of the province. However, pockets of multidimensional poverty do prevail even in better performing municipalities. Government, at all spheres, needs to devise policies that channel investments into lagging areas and avoid approaches that are indifferent to the heterogeneities that exist across localised geographical extents.

The multidimensional poverty index (MPI) is generally credited for better capturing the various components of poverty. Where such indexes have a spatial component, opportunity arises for analyzing changes in the spatial concentration of multidimensional poverty over given periods across space. Using current available MPI data for Gauteng province, South Africa, we apply spatial statistical analysis techniques to measure the degree of spatial concentration, spread and orientation of poverty across the various wards. Results reveal distinct variations in concentration, spatial spread and orientation of poverty across the province. These results open up possibilities of spatially targeted state interventions for reducing poverty.

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