Mapping Multi-Dimensional Poverty Learning Among Fisherfolk in Thiruvananthapurum District in Kerala, India

Abstract

Kerala has received worldwide attention for its remarkable achievements in social sector. However, marine fisherfolk is an ‘outlier' community in the state. Many studies identified fisherfolk in Thiruvananthapuram district as the most vulnerable among them. As poverty is a cause and consequence of vulnerability, this paper analyses the incidence and intensity of multidimensional poverty among fisherfolk in Thiruvananthapuram. The study employs cross-sectional research design and primary data was collected from 600 fisher households in three coastal villages. Multidimensional poverty index (MPI) was constructed by using Alkire-Foster methodology. Results indicate that MPI of marine fisher-folk households is 0.1 and 26 percent of these households are MPI poor. As per estimates of OPHI,MPIof Kerala is 0.004 and only one percent of people in Kerala are MPI poor. This reveals that incidence of multidimensional poverty is higher among fisherfolk as compared to general population in Kerala. Average intensity of deprivation among the poor is almost 40 percent.