Abstract

This study was undertaken based on the theoretically informed expectation that certain spatial characteristics of where a community is located are important determinants of whether residents in that community will attain an adequate level of welfare to meet their basic needs. With the aid of small area estimation techniques, and a spatial regression models, the study combined sub county poverty estimates from poverty maps obtained from the most recent Population and Household Census (2002), and the National Household Survey data (2002/2003), with up-to- date spatial data (2000-2006) to analyse the impact of these characteristics on poverty in the country. Results indicate that different spatial factors affect certain regions differently, thereby warranting regional specific policy interventions if poverty reduction if to be realized. Findings also reveal that various spatial characteristics of where communities live play a key role in determining whether those communities will attain a given level of welfare.