Household vulnerability estimates of Roma in Southeast Europe

The paper analyses household poverty and vulnerability among Roma and non-Roma in nine countries in Southeast Europe. Vulnerability to poverty is estimated by applying a model that makes use of estimated consumption and the estimated variance of consumption. The estimations suggest that vulnerability differs greatly from poverty in that it captures a larger population that is at risk. In particular, a larger share of Roma is estimated to be vulnerable than is currently observed to be poor. The results demonstrate that poverty reduction or prevention policies necessitate additional targeting of those households that are vulnerable. Copyright The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Cambridge Political Economy Society. All rights reserved., Oxford University Press.