Using data for India and Peru, the authors compare and contrast four different approaches to poverty analysis at a theoretical and empirical level. The research reveals the implications for measuring poverty and for policy, concluding that the approach chosen does make a marked difference to conclusions drawn.

SUSANA FRANCO (Ph.D. Notingham) economist who has specialised in Development Economics CATERINA RUGGERI LADERCHI poverty economist at the World Bank ABHILASHA SHARMA Associate Fellow at the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER),New Delhi, India