Work

A pioneering study on measuring poverty in the hydrocarbon-rich state of Brunei Darussalam

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: Poverty exists not only in low and middle-income countries but also in high-income countries. Brunei, a rich country heavily reliant on hydrocarbon in Southeast Asia, is not an exception. Though poverty is not a topic that is politically taboo in Brunei, there are no statistics on poverty in Brunei. Yet, having such statistics would aid the government to achieve the target of zero poverty in 2035. Therefore, this technical paper provides a pioneering estimation of poverty rates in Brunei, utilising published data from ‘Household Expenditure Surveys’ and focusing on the basic need approach. It calculates monthly household poverty rates based on the World Bank’s poverty lines and OECD median income approach. It produces poverty rates based on expenditure and income. The research employs two models: a proportional model and a refined model. The results show declining rates of poverty, regardless of the poverty lines and models.

Source: Asian Population Studies

DOI: 10.1080/17441730.2023.2240108

Authors: Evi Nurvidya Arifin, Aris Ananta, Siti Fatimahwati Pehin Dato Musa, Chang-Yau Hoon

Institutions: Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Centre for Advanced Research, University of Indonesia

Language: English

Topic: Income, Poverty, and Inequality

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: No poverty, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: Universiti Brunei Darussalam