Poverty Comparisons

Poverty comparisons - such as whether poverty has increased, or where it is greatest, are typically clouded in conceptual and methodological uncertainties. How should individual well-being be assessed in deciding who is poor? Is a household survey a reliable guide? Where should the poverty line be drawn, and does the choice matter?

This monograph surveys the issues that need to be considered in answering these questions, providing an accessible introduction to the most recent literature. The...