Extreme and multidimensional poverty reduction and food security in Bangladesh: a systematic review and program evaluation among fish-dependent households, with a national household survey analysis
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2026
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Melbourne Authors
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School of BioSciences
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PhD thesis
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© 2026 Gouri Mondal
Abstract
Amid rising global warming, populations worldwide face increasing risks of poverty and food insecurity. Reducing these challenges remains a global priority, particularly in developing countries where impacts are most severe. Poverty is measured using both monetary indicators (e.g., income and expenditure) and non-monetary indicators (e.g., health, education, and living standards), with reduction strategies increasingly targeting multiple dimensions. However, the relative effectiveness of alternative poverty reduction approaches remains uncertain. Food security is similarly multidimensional, encompassing availability, access, utilisation, and stability across time and scale. Policy responses have evolved alongside research, leading to more context-specific and evidence-based interventions.
Bangladesh exemplifies these challenges, with persistent poverty and food insecurity exacerbated by climate vulnerability. Agriculture-dependent households, especially those engaged in fisheries, are particularly exposed to climatic and economic shocks. Despite this vulnerability, fish-dependent households contribute significantly to the national economy. Given their importance and vulnerability, this study examines whether current poverty measurement and reduction strategies effectively reduce extreme and multidimensional poverty among fish-dependent households in developing countries. Using Bangladesh as a case study, the thesis evaluates the Ultra Poor Graduation (UPG) program implemented for fish-dependent households since 2019. UPG is a major poverty alleviation initiative targeting the extreme poor through sustained support and monitoring over at least two years, though evidence for fish-dependent households remains limited.
The study also investigates the temporal and spatial dynamics of food insecurity under different shocks. The thesis comprises four analytical chapters addressing these issues. Poverty-related analyses draw on a systematic review, 451 household surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Food security is analysed using multiple waves of Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) data through a generalised linear mixed model (GLMM).
The second chapter presents a systematic review of 31 articles from Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest to identify: (1) the focus of existing studies, (2) poverty metrics used, and (3) mitigation strategies applied. The review finds substantial variation in indicators and approaches for fish-dependent households in developing countries, with most studies also addressing secondary themes. These findings inform the subsequent empirical chapters.
The third and fourth chapters evaluate the effectiveness of the UPG program for fish-dependent households using quantitative and qualitative data and a difference-in-differences framework. The third chapter finds that the program increased consumption but had no significant impact on assets, income, or expenditure. The fourth chapter examines multidimensional poverty using the Alkire-Foster method and compares the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) with the Moderate Multidimensional Poverty Index (MMPI) to determine the more suitable measure. Results indicate that the program did not significantly reduce multidimensional poverty and that the MMPI is better suited for assessing these households.
The fifth chapter analyses the probability and determinants of household food insecurity. Spatial mapping reveals substantial geographic variation, while the GLMM shows that household, spatial, and temporal factors significantly influence food insecurity, confirming marked district-level disparities.
Overall, the findings suggest that poverty interventions should be modified according to local needs and contexts, including community-specific targeting, integration with climate and food security interventions, and stronger post-program support. Asset indicators used in poverty measurement may also require adaptation to better reflect local realities. Finally, food insecurity should be mapped at the district level to provide a clearer picture of spatial inequality.
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Keywords
Poverty reduction, Multidimensional poverty, Food insecurity, Fish-dependent households, Ultra Poor Graduation (UPG), Poverty measurement, Climate vulnerability, Bangladesh