A spatial analysis of monetary and non-monetary poverty in Cameroon between 2001 and 2014

Tiomela Yemedjeu Alexis,Ngassa Nya Yves Daniel,Nkemgha Zeufack Guivis

doi:10.22437/ppd.v8i4.9929

Tiomela Yemedjeu Alexis, Ngassa Nya Yves Daniel + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.22437/ppd.v8i4.9929

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Abstract

The objective of this study is to analyze the spatial distribution of monetary and non-monetary poverty in Cameroon. The identification of poor households by the monetary dimension is done using the thresholds defined by national institute of statistics. While in the non-monetary, dimension we use multiple correspondence analysis to construct composite indicators of well-being. After calculating the composite indicators, we use the formula developed by Ki et al. (2005) to calculate the poverty line. The data used in this study is from the second, third and fourth Cameroon household surveys. The results show that the incidence of monetary poverty declined from 40.2% in 2001 to 39.9% in 2007 to reach 37.5% in 2014. Non-monetary poverty stagnated between 2001 and 2007, with the incidence going from 60.65% to 61%. In 2014, the incidence declined to 53.84%. The proportion of individuals affected by both monetary and non-monetary poverty increased from 34.34% in 2001 to 35.59% in 2007, and stood at 33.49% in 2014. The rural areas are the most affected by monetary and non-monetary poverty. The region of the country most affected by monetary and non-monetary poverty is the Far North. Taking into account these results, poverty reduction policies in Cameroon should give priority to rural areas. Thus specific measures should be taken to improve access to basic infrastructures in rural areas. The Cameroonian government can also reduce taxes on construction materials.

Highlights

Since the end of the 1980s, the search for solutions to the problem of poverty has become more and more active in developing countries in general and in Sub-Saharan African countries in particular
Monetary dimension To identify poor households according to the monetary dimension, we use the poverty thresholds defined by the National Institute of Statistics of Cameroon which is 232547 FCFA per adult equivalent per annum in 2001, 269443 FCFA in 2007 and 339715 FCFA in 2014 (NIS, 2015) to classify the households according to their level of expenditure
To identify poor households according to the monetary dimension, we use the poverty thresholds defined by the National Institute of Statistics of Cameroon in 2015 which is 232547 FCFA per adult equivalent per annum in 2001, 269443 FCFA in 2007 and 339715 FCFA in 2014

Summary

Introduction

Since the end of the 1980s, the search for solutions to the problem of poverty has become more and more active in developing countries in general and in Sub-Saharan African countries in particular. According to the World Bank report (2015), the incidence of poverty in SubSaharan Africa decreased from 57% to 41% between 1990 and 2015. The incidence of poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa fell from 49% in 1981 to 41% in 2015, the number of poor continues to increase, from 229 million in 1981 to 278 million in 1990 and 413 million in 2015. The fight against poverty occupies an important place on the agenda of the presidents of African countries. Since developing countries are called upon to adopt economic policies which enable the achievement of a certain level of growth which benefits everyone

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