The Determinants of Poverty: A Case study of District Lasbela, Balochistan, Pakistan

Abstract

Poverty takes place where people are incapable to satisfy their basic needs. The current research
aims to explore the determinants of poverty in district Lasbela across five tehsils (Bela, Dureji, Hub,
Sonmiani and Uthal). The research contains cross-sectional data and it is sourced from the 2014
Base Line Survey (BLS, 2014), NRSP Lasbela and UNICEF. This study uses qualitative method and
descriptive approach. Lasbela is adjacent to Karachi, it possesses vast resources; coastal areas,
mines, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, industries, marbles, etc. The results reveal that Lasbela
possesses 70% poor households and 24.5% very poor households. The per capita average monthly
income is Rs/1475. The average household size is 4.8. School enrollment drops from 50% in primary
to only 9% in intermediate. While 19% of children are out of school due to lack of schools in the
area and 13% are engaged in child labour. Tehsil uthal occupies 78.5% poor and 22.6% of very
poor households. Bela inhabits 60.2% poor and 30.4% very poor households. Dureji has 77.5% poor
HH and 27.3% very poor. Sonmiani stands with 65.1% poor and 23.1% very poor HH and Hub
sustain 54.6% poor HH and 11% very poor HH. Conclusions of the research, signposts that
multidimensional poverty exists in district Lasbela. However, Dureji is found most deprived tehsil
followed by Bela, Uthal Sonmiani and Hub.