Designing a multidimensional poverty index (UNDP)

In this course, you will learn to develop a holistic multidimensional poverty index that integrates the income dimension with deprivations across health, education, housing, sanitation, employment and livelihoods, food security, environment, and other living standards to inform the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

UNDP and OPHI are pleased to offer a FREE six-week Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Designing a Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) in English, French, and Spanish. This course draws on the handbook, “How to Build a National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI): Using the MPI to inform the SDGs,” launched by UNDP and OPHI in July 2019. The MPI complements traditional monetary poverty measures by capturing severe deprivations in education, health, living standards, employment, safety, and many other dimensions of poverty. Using country and sub-national examples, this course offers detailed practical guidance for policymakers, technical experts, and other stakeholders on how to design an MPI at the national and local levels.

Course highlights and outcomes

- Gain hands-on tools to develop a comprehensive MPI capturing multiple simultaneous deprivations faced by the poor

- Take a deep dive into rich learning materials

- Receive a certificate of completion from premier international development institutions

Course topics

- Introduction to the Multidimensional Poverty Index

- Generating support for the national MPI

- The technical process of creating a national MPI – Part 1

- The technical process of creating a national MPI – Part 2

- Using national MPIs as policy tools

- Applying the MPI towards a COVID-19 recovery

Learning objectives

By the time the course is completed, you will be able to:

- Understand the steps involved in developing a robust MPI

- Examine the normative choices and technical requirements of multidimensional poverty measurement

- Understand the key aspects of stakeholder engagement in designing and using an MPI

- Monitor, analyze and report progress in reducing multidimensional poverty at national and local levels, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Course completion requirements

To receive the certificate of course completion, participants must:

- Complete five online lessons

- Pass five weekly quizzes

- Watch all course lectures

- Pass the final test

- Complete the course survey

The course room also contains optional components, such as case studies and discussion forums. The completion of these activities is not required for receiving the course certificate.