International Measurement Methods, Operation Practice and Implications of Relative Poverty

Setting the relative poverty standards scientifically and reasonably is the basic premise of realizing common prosperity, and the fundamental work to identify and monitor the relative poor population. Relative poverty measurement methods which are commonly used include one-dimensional income poverty measurement and multidimensional relative poverty measurement. The paper clarifies the basic connotations of these two different types of measurement methods, and puts forward their implications for China to develop the multi-dimensional relative poverty standard based on the practical experience of some typical countries. The study also points out that considering the stage of China’s economic development and the goal of poverty reduction, we should adopt a multi-dimensional relative poverty measurement method, which takes into account not only the income, but also education, medical care, housing, basic public services and social security rights and interests. At the same time, due to the great differences in the development between urban and rural areas in China, we should consider the regional differences in the formulation of relative poverty standards, and establish a flexible mechanism for dynamic adjustment of thresholds.