• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.63 no.1
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• pp.85-111
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• 2011

This study has the purpose to measure the multidimensional poverty in Korea by the counting approach which was theorized by Alkire and Foster to overcome problems of unidimensional approach, union method and intersection method for the identification of the multidimensional poor. By the counting approach applying to Welfare Panel in Korea during 2006-2008, the head-count ratio of the multidimensional poverty was measured. When 3 dimensions are applied as a dimension poverty line, the multidimensional poverty rate was 20% in 2008. It was due to broad deprivations in assets, social securities, income and health. Vulnerable classes such as single parent families, low-education level group, the aged, economically non-active population were among the severe poverty rates, which were reaching around 50%. The analysis reveals the possible alternative to change the present public assistance program to the robust approach of multidimensional poverty measurement, the counting approach. Social policies to reduce poverty in Korea would gain expected positive outcome with the various approaches based on the concepts of multidimensional poverty.