Investigating Multiple Domains of Household Livelihood Security: Insights from Urban Slums in Bangladesh

Abstract

In this article, the authors construct indices of Household Livelihood Security (HLS) domains, namely, economic, food, health, and education securities and empowerment with data from 1,120 poor households in two urban settlements of Bangladesh. The authors then jointly identify domain-specific socioeconomic determinants employing a multivariate Tobit model. A quintile analysis of domains shows high levels of inequalities among these poor households. The HLS domains are significantly positively correlated, and a host of factors significantly influence individual HLS domain. Interventions targeted at improving education, provision of business training and building of land asset are suggested to improve livelihood security.