This document discusses multidimensional poverty monitoring efforts in Europe and Central Asia. It notes some countries that have developed multidimensional poverty indexes, including Poland, Ukraine, Moldova, and Macedonia. It questions whether the indicators used are fully relevant for the region and if important dimensions are omitted. The document also discusses data availability across countries and asks questions about how indicator lists and cut-offs should be determined. Finally, it provides a summary of ongoing and planned multidimensional poverty monitoring initiatives in several countries, including Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Macedonia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.

1. Multidimensional poverty monitoring in Europe and CIS Mihail Peleah UNDP Bratislava Regional Center

2. MPI in the region (1) MPI in HDR 2010… …plus SEI in RHDR 2011 …but numerous attempts before that Poland gmina indicators, “Indicator based approach to social exclusion” Ukraine Human Development Index Moldova Small Area Deprivation Index Macedonia People Centered Analysis

3. MPI in the region (2) Results questioned: is it really more poverty in Estonia, than in Georgia? NB: Central Europe: low H, high A – marginalized groups (i.e. Roma)? Indicators are not relevant for the region (esp. material of the floor and fuel) Important things are not included But, criticism reflects interest

5. Data availability HBS available in many countries Regular and good quality Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine Regular but some questions raised Belarus, Georgia, Uzbekistan Irregular but important BiH (2001, 2007), Georgia (LSMS2009), Tajikistan (2007, 2009) MICS could compliment in many other cases

6. Questions for consideration Process of indicators list building? And cut-offs? Science? Art? Data availability? Shall we include incomes? Community-level deprivation? From pilot and one-off initiatives towards monitoring? Is one ‘mix-’em-all’ index a good idea?

7. Summary of plans Armenia – on-going Social Cohesion Survey, including index Georgia – plan Multidimensional Vulnerability Study, but no index Kyrgyzstan – on-going Multidimensional Poverty Index in NHDR2011 Kazakhstan – idea of Multidimensional Poverty Index Macedonia FYR – review of People Centered Analysis indicators Tajikistan – plan Multidimensional Poverty Index in NHDR2011 Ukraine – done Multidimensional Social Exclusion Index in NHDR2011 Uzbekistan – attempt MDG Index Region – plan Roma vulnerability survey