马尔代夫的贫困与不平等 INTRODUCTION Around the world， countries use a wide variety of poverty measurement methodologies. Given the multitude of concepts， the purpose of this chapter is to summarize key elements of poverty measurement in the Maldives and to provide an overview of welfare of Maldivians. One of the main objectives of the Household Income and Expenditures Survey （HIES） is to provide information on welfare and living standards and their distribution over households. Of particular importance is the measurement and tracking of welfare amongst the poorest segments of the population， and HIES survey data provide the principal means for estimating the extent and severity of poverty in the Maldives. A common method used to measure poverty is based on levels of consumption-a person is considered poor if his or her consumption level falls below some minimum level necessary to meet basic needs. This minimum level is usually called the "poverty line". What is necessary to satisfy basic needs varies across time and countries. Therefore， poverty lines vary in time and across countries， and each country uses lines which are appropriate to its level of development， societal norms and values. Poverty is not easy to define and different definitions exist. A broader approach refers to poverty as a state in which individuals' capabilities are unacceptably low as viewed by society （Sen， 1992）. 【更多详情，请下载：马尔代夫的贫困与不平等】