ABSTRACT
Level of development or degree of poverty may vary considerably from place to place within a country, region or urban area. Analysis of the spatial distribution of poverty can be of particular importance to agencies attempting to formulate development interventions which reach poverty groups. Analyses of spatial variations in poverty often are based on income distribution and poverty line data. Income distribution data may be available from censuses or surveys of household incomes and expenditure patterns. Information on the spatial distribution of poverty in urban areas can be collected efficiently using aerial photography. Spatial associations between development indicators may be investigated using maps or statistical techniques. If poverty can be defined in terms of census variables, then census data can be used to analyze the spatial distribution of poverty. If country census offices have appropriate data processing facilities, multidimensional definitions of poverty may be specified.
