The Bureau of Statistics says it is now better positioned to measure poverty levels in Guyana with the training of several staff members in the use of the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI).
A release from the Bureau yesterday informed that this recently concluded hands-on capacity building exercise conducted at its headquarters in Georgetown, was facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This is the first time that Guyana will be utilising this method.
It was explained that previously, the Bureau’s measurement of poverty levels in Guyana was primarily done using the Consumption Expenditure method, which utilises data on household expenditure. Other agencies have also used the income method which relies on household income data. However, incomes are often understated and therefore not the most reliable metric for poverty measurement.