Inequality and Poverty in Focus: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Socioeconomic Reality in the Province of Sofala, Mozambique

Abstract

The research carried out a comprehensive analysis of socio-economic dynamics in Mozambique in Sofala province in the districts of Buzi, Caia, Gorongosa, Maringue and Marromeu Mozambique, exploring poverty, inequality and deprivation. Using consolidated methodologies such as FGT, GINI index, Lorenz curve, MPI for multidimensional poverty and Theil index, we analyzed the situation in comparison with different reports. The results reveal that, considering a poverty line of 1,800.00 Meticais, 97.83 per cent of the population in the five districts is classified as poor. The poverty gap ratio shows that, on average, people living in poverty have an income 85.35 per cent below the poverty line. The aggregate poverty gap estimates the monthly transfer of 282,678.00 Mt needed to eliminate poverty in the region. A detailed analysis of the FGT1 indicators reveals that Buzi, Caia, Gorongosa, Maringue and Marromeu represent 33.89%, 20.56%, 19.44%, 16.11% and 10.78% of the poor population, respectively. Income distribution in the province, as measured by the Gini coefficient, is significantly unequal, with a rate of 65.3 per cent. Breaking down the data, Gorongosa is the most unequal district (73.97%), followed by Caia (64.21%) and Marromeu (48.06%). From the perspective of multidimensional poverty, 77.9 per cent of the population faces deprivation in education, 88 per cent in health, and housing is inadequate for the entire population of the five districts. The Theil index highlights the disparities, with Buzi, Caia, Gorongosa, Maringue and Marromeu showing 72.94%, 80.09%, 100%, 42.72% and 39.34%, respectively.