Which of the following statements is/are correct about the Capability Poverty Measure (CPM) developed by the UNDP?
- 1. CPM includes child malnutrition as a proxy for lack of health and nourishment.
- 2. Female illiteracy is included to reflect deprivation in education and knowledge.
- 3. It considers male illiteracy as a key indicator of capability poverty.
- 4. It includes lack of access to clean drinking water as an important indicator of capability poverty.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- A1 and 2
- B1, 2 and 3
- COnly 1
- DMore than one of the above
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (a) 1 and 2
Explanation
The Capability Poverty Measure (CPM) was introduced in the UNDP Human Development Report 1996. It looks at the lack of basic human capabilities rather than income, through three indicators:
- the share of children under five who are underweight (being well nourished and healthy);
- the share of births not attended by trained health personnel (healthy reproduction);
- female illiteracy (being educated and knowledgeable).
So statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: the CPM uses female illiteracy, not male illiteracy. Statement 4 is wrong too: access to safe drinking water is not a CPM indicator (it appeared later in the Human Poverty Index of 1997).