Disaggregation matters

The global MPI highlights inequalities at the global, regional, national and subnational levels. Each layer of analysis yields a new understanding of inequality and provides a far richer picture than the $1.90 a day poverty rate.

Incidence and intensity

The MPI is the product of the incidence (number or percentage of poor people) and the intensity (average number of deprivations suffered by the poor) of multidimensional poverty, and both are important aspects. Any reduction in intensity reduces MPI (even if incidence remains unchanged) and reflects progress towards moving people out of poverty. The poorest countries exhibit not just higher incidence of multidimensional poverty, but also higher intensity, with the average poor person deprived in more indicators. Read more