ANALYSIS OF MULTIDIMENSIONAL POVERTY IN RURAL ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study assessed multidimensional poverty in rural parts of Adamawa state, Nigeria. Specifically, the study objectives were to: describe the respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics, determine their multidimensional poverty status, and identify the determinants of multidimensional poverty in the sampled communities. Multi-stage cluster sampling technique was used to collect primary data from 480 household heads selected from 16 villages across the study area. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, Multidimensional Poverty Analytical Tool (MPAT), and Binary Logistic regression model. The respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics described in the study showed that the mean age was 46.3 years, while the average household size was 7 persons. The study indicated that most (86.7%) of the respondents were male, who are mostly married (91.7%), and that majority (74%) are educated. The distribution of the respondents’ multidimensional poverty status revealed that majority (61.7%) of the households were poor. The study revealed that multidimensional poverty in the study area is influenced negatively by age, marital status, and household size. Similarly, gender, educational level, livelihood activities, farm size, livestock ownership, remittance, membership of group, and access to credit positively influence multidimensional poverty. Key among the recommendations of the study is the adequate provision of basic infrastructure in the area.