ABSTRACT
Defining and measuring poverty is important to the work of governments, since this should help identify who is in need. It should also help identify the nature of need, which then serves as the basis for identifying the actions required to address need. Appropriate and accurate measurement methodologies need to be at the centre of the policies and interests of any aid agency, development bank or international NGO, whose very existence is justified by their contribution to reducing poverty. In this context, it is important to get the definition and measurement right. This may also be important for governance as those suffering deprivations caused by poverty need to feel that their needs and priorities are represented within the definition and measurement processes (as well as in subsequent policies and actions).
