Abstract
Applying the small-area estimation methods to Cambodia data, we decompose the total inequality in wealth (consumption) and
health (child undernutrition) indicators into within-location and between-location components. Because the knowledge of the
pattern of spatial disparity in poverty and undernutrition is important for the geographic targeting of resources, we conduct
a geographic decomposition of the variance of the Foster-Greere-Thorbecke index in addition to the standard decomposition
exercise based on the generalized entropy measures. We find that a sizable proportion of wealth inequality is due to between-location
inequality, whereas health inequality is mainly due to within-location inequality.
health (child undernutrition) indicators into within-location and between-location components. Because the knowledge of the
pattern of spatial disparity in poverty and undernutrition is important for the geographic targeting of resources, we conduct
a geographic decomposition of the variance of the Foster-Greere-Thorbecke index in addition to the standard decomposition
exercise based on the generalized entropy measures. We find that a sizable proportion of wealth inequality is due to between-location
inequality, whereas health inequality is mainly due to within-location inequality.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-20
- DOI 10.1007/s10888-012-9226-3
- Authors
- Tomoki Fujii, School of Economics, Singapore Management University, 90 Stamford Road, Singapore, 178903 Singapore
- Journal Journal of Economic Inequality
- Online ISSN 1573-8701
- Print ISSN 1569-1721