This study investigates the multiple facets of poverty and its high incidence in the hill districts of Manipur state. It employs the NITI Aayog approach, a modified version of the Alkire-Foster method. It incorporates weights and indicators to compute the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) and its decomposition across population, sub-group, dimension, and indicators. The study focuses on three dimensions and twelve indicators from National Multidimensional Poverty Index. The primary data analysis estimates

the headcount ratio, intensity, and MPI at 0.328, 0.433, and 0.142, respectively. The study also reveals a higher poverty incidence in rural areas than urban areas. Nutrition is the most significant contributor to the MPI value, followed by years of schooling, attendance, and assets.

Highlights

• The study examines the prevalence of multifaceted poverty among households in hill districts of Manipur.
• The findings corroborate earlier data from the NITI Aayog report, demonstrating the prevalence and severity of multidimensional poverty in the study region.
• Access to nutrition is the critical factor that contributes most to the MPI value.