Measuring multi-dimensional disparity index: A case of Nepal

PLOS ONE · 6 authors, 4 centres

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TL;DR

This study developed a Multi-dimensional Disparity Index (MDI) to measure disparity across six dimensions in Nepal's provinces. It found that all dimensions were at unsatisfactory levels, with Karnali Province showing the highest disparity and Bagmati Province the lowest.

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The study developed a Multi-dimensional Disparity Index (MDI) using a Semi-Delphi approach with six dimensions and 34 indicators to assess disparity across Nepal's three tiers of government. The overall Nepal MDI score was 0.388. Results indicated that the Health Disparity Index (HDI) was the most deprived dimension, while the Geography and Climatic Vulnerability Index (GCVI) was the least. Province-level analysis showed Karnali Province had the highest overall MDI (most deprived), and Bagmati Province had the lowest (least deprived). The study relied on secondary data from various periods and used local governments as the unit of analysis. It concludes that disparity is a significant challenge for inclusive governance in Nepal and suggests local and provincial governments as priorities for intervention.

STUDY TYPE

other

SPECIALTY

epidemiology

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ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10553211

Measuring multi-dimensional disparity index: A case of Nepal

PLOS ONE

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ABSTRACT

This study introduces Multi-dimensional Disparity Index (MDI) to measure multi-form of disparity in different level of governments referencing Nepal. The measurement scale of MDI was developed by adopting Santos and Alkire’s (2011) approaches. A wide range of thematic experts was consulted, employing the Semi-Delphi approach to determine its dimensions and indicators. The MDI in this study includes six dimensions and 34 indicators composited with dimension-wise indices like Economy Disparity Index [ECODI], Educational Disparity Index [EDUDI], Health Disparity Index [HDI], Geography and Climatic Vulnerability Index [GCVI], Living Standard Disparity Index [LSDI], and Demography Disparity Index [DDI]. Overall, the study revealed the extent of multi-dimensional disparity across three tiers of government in Nepal. More specifically, Nepal scored 0.388 MDI value. Karnali and Bagmati provinces are accounted as the highest and least deprived. This study contributes essential knowledge, particularly in exploring the dimensions and their indicators and develops an approach to measure multi-dimensional disparities. Most existing approaches for assessing disparities are mono-dimensional and measure the disparities in a single aspect. In this context, MDI provides a broader approach to consider multiple dimensions and measures multiple aspects in a country like Nepal, where disparity manifests at multiple levels.

CITATION EXPORT

Prakash C. Bhattarai, Milan Shrestha, Prakash Kumar Paudel et al.. Measuring multi-dimensional disparity index: A case of Nepal. PLOS ONE. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0286216

AUTHORS

6 · 4 CENTRES

Prakash C. Bhattarai, Milan Shrestha, Prakash Kumar Paudel, Muhammad Tayyab Sohail, Muhammad Tayyab Sohail, Muhammad Tayyab Sohail

1 Kathmandu University-School of Education, Hattiban, Lalitpur, Nepal
2 Tribhuvan University-Graduate School of Education, Kritipur, Kathmandu, Nepal
3 Department of Development Education, Kathmandu University-School of Education, Hattiban, Lalitpur, Nepal
Xiangtan University, CHINA

EDITOR / REVIEWER

Muhammad Tayyab Sohail