MULTIDIMENSIONAL VULNERABILITY TO POVERTY INDEX IN SELF EMPLOYED WORKERS IN LA MATANZA CITY, ARGENTINA

In this paper we propose an operationalization of a multidimensional vulnerability to poverty index, with the objective of overcame the dichotomy of poverty measurements such as the poverty line and unsatisfied basic needs, which fails to represent socioeconomic restrictions of focalized groups. With the information obtained through a survey made to self-employed workers of La Matanza City, Argentina, a set of different dimensions were defined. In order to design a multidimensional indicator, a model that aggregats binary, quantitative and linguistic information was applied to construct an index. The index allows not only to quickly valuate the social vulnerability level of a group, but also to focus on targeted public policies in the dimensions with highest value within the sample. Results show the group´s vulnerability is related to the informality and sustainability of their income and access to financial market. This approach should complement aggregate data of traditional socioeconomic indicators, and has the objective of customize public policies related to social development