Introduction to Poverty Economics: Causes, Metrics, and Global Policy

Understanding poverty is essential for analyzing economic development, social policy, and global inequality. This structured text-based course provides a clear, foundational guide to how poverty is defined, measured, and addressed around the world. You will transition from having a general awareness of economic hardship to possessing a structured, analytical understanding of poverty metrics, systemic causes, and modern policy interventions. What you will learn: Understand the critical distinctions between absolute, relative, and multidimensional poverty; Analyze the historical, social, and economic causes of global and regional poverty; Evaluate key poverty measurement tools, including the poverty line and the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI); Examine modern policy solutions, from direct cash transfers to structural social safety nets; Assess the impact of economic growth, inflation, and unemployment on vulnerable populations. The course starts with essential terminology and foundational definitions before guiding you through measurement frameworks, real-world case studies, and policy evaluation exercises. This course is designed for beginners, students of economics and social sciences, and anyone seeking a structured introduction to global development issues, with no prior prerequisites required. Start reading today to build a strong foundation in developmental economics and social policy.