Inequality, Poverty and Vulnerability: Exploring the Interaction Mechanism

This study attempts to provide empirical evidence on the nature of the interaction between inequality, poverty and vulnerability so as to stimulate an informed debate on the strategies for overcoming the development challenges they pose. Findings show that contrary to theoretical speculations and policy anticipations, there exists no statistically significant relationship between inequality, poverty and vulnerability. These variables are found to be mutually exclusive, inter-independent, distinct and unreinforced by one another in their operations. Instead, other variables such as health and education expenditures, per capita income, and household income are found to be significantly correlated with inequality, poverty and vulnerability. This implies that, although inequality, poverty and vulnerability do not impact and reinforce each other, there are other factors that have significant impact on them.