Indicatori di vulnerabilità economica e tenore di vita delle famiglie in Lombardia

The aim of this paper is the definition and measurement of the concept of vulnerability between families in a relatively high income region of Italy. Poverty tends to be a multi-dimensional concept and the use of monetary income as a single measure of welfare can be misleading. The concept of equality of living standards is a more correct definition, but it is far more elusive. Using a national poverty line as targeting for social policies might introduce inequality between regions and families who face different cost of living. Indicators of vulnerability can have significant advantages over income testing in the identification of eligibility rules to relieve immediate poverty and to prevent it in the longer term.