What surveys are conducted to measure poverty in India?

 What surveys are conducted to measure poverty in India?

 What surveys are conducted to measure poverty in India?

In India, several surveys are conducted by government agencies and institutions to measure poverty and assess the socio-economic conditions of the population. These surveys help in estimating poverty levels, understanding living standards, and tracking changes in income distribution and consumption patterns. Below are the key surveys used to measure poverty in India:

1. National Sample Survey (NSS) - Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES):

• Conducted by: National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

• Purpose: The Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES) is one of the most important surveys for measuring poverty in India. It collects detailed data on household consumption and expenditure patterns, which are used to estimate poverty levels.

• Poverty Measurement: The data from CES is used to calculate the poverty line based on household consumption levels. The poverty line is typically defined as the level of consumption required to meet basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, education, and health.

• Frequency: Conducted every five years, although sometimes delayed. The last full round was conducted in 2011-12, and a report from the 2017-18 round was not officially released.

• Importance: The CES provides insights into the distribution of income, consumption patterns, and changes in poverty over time, especially in rural and urban areas.

2. Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC):

• Conducted by: Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India.

• Purpose: The SECC collects detailed data on the socio-economic status of households across rural and urban areas. It includes information on caste, income levels, housing conditions, and employment.

• Poverty Measurement: While not directly a poverty survey, the SECC provides important data for identifying below poverty line (BPL) households and targeting beneficiaries for government welfare schemes. It helps in determining which households qualify for poverty alleviation programs based on various socio-economic indicators.

• Frequency: The last SECC was conducted in 2011 and covered both rural and urban areas.

3. Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS):

• Conducted by: National Statistical Office (NSO).

• Purpose: The PLFS is primarily focused on measuring employment and unemployment trends in the country. However, it also provides data on household incomes, employment status, and wages, which are crucial indicators for assessing poverty and living standards.

• Poverty Measurement: PLFS data helps understand income distribution and employment-related poverty, especially by highlighting the income gaps between different occupational groups and regions.

• Frequency: Conducted annually since 2017, with quarterly estimates for urban areas.

4. National Family Health Survey (NFHS):

• Conducted by: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with support from the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS).

• Purpose: The NFHS collects data on health, nutrition, fertility, and family welfare across India. It also captures socio-economic characteristics such as household wealth, living standards, and access to basic services like water, sanitation, and electricity.

• Poverty Measurement: The NFHS helps in assessing multidimensional poverty by providing data on non-income aspects of poverty, such as access to healthcare, nutrition, and housing conditions.

• Frequency: Conducted every five years, with the most recent round (NFHS-5) conducted in 2019-2021.

5. India Human Development Survey (IHDS):

• Conducted by: National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) and University of Maryland.

• Purpose: The IHDS is a nationally representative survey that collects data on various aspects of human development, including education, health, income, employment, and consumption patterns.

• Poverty Measurement: It provides detailed data on household incomes and consumption, helping to assess income-based poverty and understand socio-economic inequalities across different regions and communities.

• Frequency: Conducted in two rounds—2004-05 and 2011-12.

6. Rural Economic and Demographic Survey (REDS):

• Conducted by: National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER).

• Purpose: The REDS provides data on the economic and demographic status of rural households, including income sources, landholding patterns, and employment.

• Poverty Measurement: It offers valuable insights into rural poverty, capturing the living conditions and socio-economic challenges faced by rural populations.

7. Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI):

• Conducted by: NITI Aayog in collaboration with the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI).

• Purpose: The MPI measures poverty in terms of multiple dimensions beyond income, including education, health, and living standards.

• Poverty Measurement: It provides a composite measure of poverty that takes into account deprivations in different dimensions, such as access to clean water, electricity, sanitation, housing, nutrition, and education.

• Frequency: Updated periodically with data from national surveys like the NFHS.

8. NITI Aayog State-Level Poverty Estimates:

• Conducted by: NITI Aayog, based on various national surveys.

• Purpose: NITI Aayog periodically publishes state-level poverty estimates, drawing on data from surveys like the CES and SECC.

• Poverty Measurement: These estimates provide insights into state-wise poverty trends, highlighting regional disparities and helping to target poverty alleviation programs more effectively.

9. Consumption and Social Consumption Surveys (NSS):

• Conducted by: National Statistical Office (NSO).

• Purpose: The Social Consumption Surveys under the NSS focus on education, health, and access to public services, along with consumption data that helps measure poverty.

• Poverty Measurement: The data collected helps assess the socio-economic status of households, particularly regarding their access to education, healthcare, and basic amenities. This contributes to understanding poverty beyond income measures.

10. World Bank and Other International Surveys:

• Purpose: International organizations like the World Bank occasionally collaborate with Indian authorities or independent institutions to conduct surveys on poverty and living standards. These surveys often focus on global comparisons or specific projects aimed at reducing poverty.

• Poverty Measurement: These surveys may use different methodologies, such as Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) adjustments, to provide insights into international poverty comparisons.

Conclusion:

The measurement of poverty in India relies on multiple surveys, each of which provides different perspectives on economic well-being, income distribution, and access to essential services. While surveys like the Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES) and SECC provide traditional income and consumption-based measures, others, such as the NFHS and MPI, address multidimensional aspects of poverty. Together, these surveys form a comprehensive framework for understanding poverty in India, allowing for better-targeted policy interventions and welfare programs.