Promulgating new multidimensional poverty standards

The Prime Minister has just issued multidimensional poverty standards applicable for the period 2016 - 2020. It clearly stipulates the criteria for measuring multidimensional poverty applicable for the period 2016 - 2020; standards for poor households, near-poor households, and households with average living standards applicable for the period 2016 - 2020.

Accordingly, the criteria for measuring multidimensional poverty applied for the 2016-2020 period include income criteria and the level of lack of access to basic social services.

Regarding income criteria, the Decision stipulates the poverty line in rural areas is 700,000 VND/person/month; in urban areas is 900,000 VND/person/month. The near-poverty line in rural areas is 1,000,000 VND/person/month; in urban areas is 1,300,000 VND/person/month.

Regarding the criteria for the level of lack of access to basic social services, the Decision clearly states that basic social services include 5 services: health care, education, housing, clean water and sanitation, and information.

Indicators measuring the level of shortage of basic social services include 10 indicators: access to health services; health insurance; adult education level; children's school attendance; housing quality; average housing area per capita; domestic water source; hygienic toilets/latrines; use of telecommunication services; assets serving access to information.

Criteria for determining poverty line

The Decision also clearly stipulates the standards for poor households, near-poor households, and households with average living standards applicable for the period 2016 - 2020. Specifically, poor households in rural areas are households that meet one of the following two criteria: 1- Have an average income per capita/month of 700,000 VND or less; 2- Have an average income per capita/month of over 700,000 VND to 1,000,000 VND and lack 03 or more indicators measuring the level of lack of access to basic social services.

Poor households in urban areas are households that meet one of the following two criteria: 1- Have an average monthly income per capita of 900,000 VND or less; 2- Have an average monthly income per capita of over 900,000 VND to 1,300,000 VND and lack 03 or more indicators measuring the level of lack of access to basic social services.

Near-poor households in rural areas are households with an average monthly income per capita of over 700,000 VND to 1,000,000 VND and lacking less than 03 indicators measuring the level of lack of access to basic social services.

Near-poor households in urban areas are households with an average monthly income per capita of over VND 900,000 to VND 1,300,000 and lacking less than 03 indicators measuring the level of lack of access to basic social services.

A household with an average living standard in rural areas is a household with an average monthly income per capita of over 1,000,000 VND to 1,500,000 VND.

A household with an average living standard in an urban area is a household with an average monthly income per capita of over 1,300,000 VND to 1,950,000 VND.

The above poverty line is the basis for measuring and monitoring the level of income shortage and access to basic social services of the people; is the basis for determining the subjects for implementing poverty reduction and social security policies; and planning other socio-economic policies in the period 2016-2020.

According to baochinhphu.vn