Determinants of Poverty in Malawi using the Fifth Integrated Household Survey

This study examined the factors influencing poverty in Malawi, using the Fifth Integrated Household Survey (IHS5). Using a binary logistic regression model, the analysis identified key socioeconomic determinants of poverty status, such as employment type, education level, household size, dependency ratio, and geographical location. The findings revealed that households in informal employment, larger households and higher dependency ratios are more likely to experience poverty. In contrast, higher educational attainment and urban residency reduce the risk of poverty. The study highlights the ongoing rural-urban divide and emphasises the transformative impact of education and access to formal employment on the reduction of poverty. Keywords: Poverty, Access to Credit, Rural-Urban Divide, Dependency Ratio, Employment Status