Indicatori di vulnerabilità economica nelle regioni italiane: un'analisi dei dati sui bilanci familiari

The aim of this paper is the definition and measurement of the concept of vulnerability within families in nine regions 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 in targeting for social policies might introduce inequality within regions and families who face different cost of living; we propose regional poverty lines as a first step to correct it. 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.