Multidimensional Poverty

This paper aims to focus on inclusive growth and its impact on multidimensional poverty and inequality in Iran's provinces on the basis of social mobility index. The results suggest, that although the multi-dimensional poverty has decreased, participation of active labor force has a decisive role in inclusive growth and reduction of absolute multi-dimensional poverty of the provinces. But labor participation has been accompanied by inequality of income, which indicates that the opportunity for economic growth has been unevenly distributed, as higher income deciles have more benefits. Income inequality has moderated the positive and significant effect of GDP growth on its inclusiveness. Inflation also has a negative and significant effect on the inclusive growth of the provinces. The research findings indicate that the economic and financial policies, including the ratio of bank credit to GDP and government social expenditures, have a positive and significant effect on the acceleration of inclusive growth and have been able to generate inclusive, albeit unsustainable growth in the provinces. This inclusive growth has led to a reduction in poverty and inequality. However because of its volatility and instability, it has no significant impact on poverty and inequality and did not directly reduce poverty and inequality in the provinces.

Housing satisfies crucial needs, as shown in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Be that as it may, the Sustainable Development Goals evidently have one critical aspect missing in its 17 goals: achieving housing security for all. Goal 11 mentions urban settlement but fails to understand the concept of housing security. Over a billion people reside in slums and other informal settlements across the globe, and the number is expected to increase. However, there is a lack of a comprehensive, multidimensional, and validated instrument for measuring the extent of housing insecurity despite housing significantly impacting household’s health, economic, and psychological well-being. Methods: This study sought to apply and adopt a newly developed multidimensional household housing insecurity index (HHII), consisting of eight dimensions that respond to the lack of universally accepted measures of housing insecurity. This study used primary data with a sample size of 600 South African households collected in four types of areas in two provinces (Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal). Results: The findings indicated that merely 25% of households were deemed housing secure, in stark contrast to 75% facing varying levels of housing insecurity, from mild to severe. This concerning result highlights that, even after more than thirty years of democracy, housing remains a significant problem in South Africa. Conclusions: The study reveals that housing insecurity significantly impacts Black populations, with female heads of households in rural and informal settings facing the most severe challenges.