Poverty and Disadvantage through a Multidimensional Lens in the United States

This paper develops a measure of the joint distribution of multiple deprivations in the United States, in other words a measure of the extent to which different deprivations are experienced by the same individuals. Using Current Population Survey and American Community Survey data, we find that the experience of multiple deprivations affects 15% of Americans. We also find that income poverty is not a reliable proxy to measure multiple deprivations and disadvantage through a multidimensional lens.