Multidimensional poverty in forced displacement : a comparison of Syrian and native households in Turkey

Abstract

This study addresses the limitations of traditional measures of poverty that focus solely on income or consumption expenditure and instead adopts a multidimensional approach inspired by Amartya Sen's capabilities perspective. Combining various statistical approaches with normative considerations, a multidimensional poverty index (MPI) is constructed for Syrian refugees in Turkey, a context that has received relatively less attention in the literature compared to other host countries. Using the Turkey Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) 2018, the study examines and compares the diverse deprivations faced by displaced and non-displaced households. A dimension on financial security is incorporated in addition to three standard dimensions used in the literature (education, health, and living standards). The analysis reveals significant disparities, with Syrian households experiencing a seven times higher incidence of multidimensional poverty compared to native Turkish households. The overall MPI score for the refugee community is 33 percentage points higher than the host community. Particularly, informal employment emerges as a nationwide issue. The findings contribute to the understanding of the well-being of Syrian refugees in Turkey and highlight the urgent need for targeted policies and interventions to address the simultaneous deprivations they face.