Income Poverty and Multiple Deprivations in a High‐Income Country: The Case of the United States*

Abstract

Objectives The objective of this study is to develop a measure of multiple deprivations for the United States that is similar to those used on the international stage as multidimensional poverty. The latter is understood broadly as a deprivation of well‐being across multiple dimensions rather than purely as a lack of income or other financial resources. Methods Using Current Population Survey and American Community Survey data, this study develops a measure of the joint distribution of multiple deprivations in the United States, in other words, a measure of the extent to which different deprivations are experienced by the same individuals. Results The experience of multiple deprivations affects 15 percent of Americans. An estimated 17.1 million Americans, 5.5 percent of the population, experience multiple deprivations while they are not income poor. The odds of experiencing multiple deprivations are significantly higher for Hispanics, immigrants, and persons with disabilities. Conclusions Income poverty is not a reliable proxy to measure multiple deprivations. Further measurement efforts are needed on overlapping multiple deprivations in the United States as such measures can be used in policy evaluation and monitoring.

Multidimensional economic deprivation during the coronavirus pandemic: Early evidence from the United States

“…Typically, indicators of multidimensional poverty in the United States include health insurance, high-school education, housing costs, and disabilities. Mitra and Brucker [ 31 ] found that in 2012 a greater proportion of Hispanics were deprived in three or more indicators of poverty. Dhongde and Haveman [ 4 ] found that between 2008 and 2013, about 40% of Hispanics were multidimensional poor compared with 14% in the general population.…”

Spatial and Temporal Trends in Multidimensional Poverty in the United States over the Last Decade

“…al. ( 2019 ) 4.6% Education High school education Not having received at least a high school diploma Dhongde and Haveman ( 2017 ) Glassman ( 2019 , 2021 ) Mitra and Brucker ( 2016 , 2019 ) Dhongde et. al.…”

“…al. ( 2019 ) Dhongde and Dong ( 2022 ) 10.2% Economic Security Health insurance Lack of any type of health insurance; public or private Dhongde and Haveman ( 2017 ) Glassman ( 2019 , 2021 ) Mitra and Brucker ( 2016 , 2019 ) Dhongde et. al.…”

“… 4 Previous studies used U.S. data to demonstrate applications of multidimensional poverty but were limited to estimates from a single year (e.g., Alkire and Foster, 2011 ; Mitra and Brucker, 2016 ). …”

“… 15 The MPI is also referred to as the multidimensional deprivation index (MDI) by Dhongde and Haveman ( 2017 ), Glassman ( 2019 , 2021 ) or simply as the headcount ratio by Mitra and Brucker ( 2016 , 2019 ). …”