Browsing by Author "Obaco Alvarez, Moises Lenyn"

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Dinámica de la pobreza multidimensional subnacional en los países en desarrollo: los casos de Ecuador y Uruguay
(2022) Obaco Alvarez, Moises Lenyn; Pontarollo, Nicola; Mendieta Muñoz, Luis Rodrigo
This paper studies deprivation dynamics at the subnational level, introducing a Local Multidimensional Poverty Index (LMPI), and focusing on multidimensional poverty in Ecuador and Uruguay between the last two available censuses, 1990–2010 and 1996–2011, respectively. As a first step, we construct the LMPI at the municipal level using microdata from both counties. Subsequently, we explore spatial and temporal dynamics through a set of tools such as the salter graph, Moran’s I, Moran scatterplot, and spatial transition matrix. The results indicate that compared to Ecuador, Uruguay was initially in a better position in terms of the LMPI. However, Ecuador achieved a generalized reduction of the LMPI during the period of analysis, reaching levels close to that of Uruguay. Nevertheless, spatial persistence in the LMPI is observed. © 2022, Asociacion Espanola de Ciencia Regional. All rights reserved.
Measuring well-being: a Buen Vivir (living well) indicator for Ecuador
(2020) Mero Figueroa, Marina; Galdeano Gómez, Emilio; Piedra Muñoz, Laura; Obaco Alvarez, Moises Lenyn
Buen Vivir (Living Well in English) is a concept that breaks traditional paradigms. The central idea which underpins this philosophy is the balanced relationship between people and their community and natural surroundings. In other terms, it is based on enjoying human rights responsibly while respecting common goods within the context of a harmonious coexistence. The present study explores this idea to measure well-being in Ecuador, one of the countries where this concept was first introduced. The multidimensional nature of Buen Vivir involves a great deal of complexity when conducting analyses from a holistic perspective, which is the reason empirical studies on this issue are quite scarce. In the present work, an indicator is constructed by weighing different sub-indicators of well-being, such happiness and life satisfaction, trust and satisfaction with government and community, security, physical housing characteristics and environmental concern. For this purpose, individual data on the Ecuadorian population were analyzed in the period 2014–2016. The results reveal an average national indicator of 68 over 100, which could be considered relatively good. The highest levels are found in security, housing characteristics and happiness. This study also explores the heterogeneity among provinces, regions and urban/rural areas, and how Buen Vivir is related to individual characteristics. It shows that, rather than considering the well-being of people to be merely income-dependent, economic policies should take into account other aspects related to Buen Vivir, such as the protection of the environment and people’s traditional livelihoods.
On the association between housing deprivation and urban size: evidence from South Asia
(2022) Mendieta Muñoz, Luis Rodrigo
Housing is a basic human need; however, in recent decades slums have become the face of urbanization in developing economies. Urbanization drives economic growth, playing an important role in providing adequate housing and reducing poverty. In this paper, we investigate the association between housing deprivation and the urban size at a regional level for South Asian countries in the year 2015. We use two main sources of data. The first is the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), which provide microdata that allows us to build housing deprivation indexes based on the material characteristics of households and housing assets. The second source is satellite imagery, used to define urban cores and measure the urban size of each region. Then, we use a two-step procedure to identify the relationship between the urban size and housing deprivation. Our results indicate that age and higher levels of education (of the head of household) are negatively associated with our housing deprivation indexes in South Asian households. Furthermore, a greater number of children in South Asian households is related to higher levels of housing deprivation. In the second step, we show that there is a significant negative association between material housing deprivation and the urban size at a regional level for our full sample and for the majority of countries taken individually. An important exception is India, where an inverted-U-shaped relationship between deprivation and urban size is found. This result is robust even when an IV approach is used.
On the link between material deprivation and city size: Ecuador as a case study.
(2021) Obaco Alvarez, Moises Lenyn; Royuela, Vicente; Matano, Alessia
The association between city size and productivity has been widely investigated in the academic literature. On the contrary, less is known about the link between city size and material living conditions. Recently, a strong emphasis has been put on the process of urbanization without growth and on the burst of large cities. The creation of slums and large areas with underdeveloped housing characteristics has become a major concern for urban planners. This is especially the case for developing economies. This work analyses the association between city size and material living conditions in Ecuador, a small developing country experiencing rapid urbanization and where slums constitute a relevant part of the urban landscape. Our findings show that living in denser areas is associated with lower levels of deprivation and overcrowding. Nonetheless, we also show evidence of congestion in larger cities.
The association between overcrowded households and adolescent pregnancy
(2021) Diaz Sanchez, Juan Pablo; Lanchimba López, Cintya Catalina; Obaco Alvarez, Moises Lenyn
Background: Literature suggests that socioeconomic environment influences the probility of teenage pregnancy. Specifically, this paper reports an investigation about the association between overcrowded households and teenage pregnancy in a developing country. Methods: Using a probit model with sample selection correction, which provides a robust estimate, we analyze data of 10,245 Ecuadorian women between 12 and 19 years old. Data was collected from official surveys conducted in 2006 and 2014. Results: Empirical evidence shows that an overcrowded household is an influential factor on the probability of adolescent pregnancy in Ecuador. Policy Implications: The involvement of policy makers, parents, schools, and NGOs is necessary to design preventive and corrective policies regarding adolescent pregnancy. In particular, governments should implement policies that ensure the rights of adolescents to access mechanisms for preventing and reporting sexual violence whether it comes from their households or anywhere else.
The effects of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on expected tourism revenues for natural preservation. The case of the Galapagos Islands
(2021) Diaz Sanchez, Juan Pablo
This research reports the effects of Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak on expected tourism revenues for preservation in the Galapagos Islands, a well-known international tourism destination. We explore the trends and construct a seasonal index to estimate the expected number of visitors in the Galapagos National Park (GNP) as well as the potential revenue from the fee entrance in the park, which is used for preservation activities. Our results indicate that in our optimistic scenario, losses would account for half of the revenues in 2020,having a high impact on the Galapagos National Park preservation activities. Based on our results, we recommend GNP and Ecuadorian authorities to look for alternative sources of funding, so conservation programs in the park can continue with no interruption.
Where To Go? Drivers of Venezuelan Asylum Seekers.
(2021) Diaz Sanchez, Juan Pablo
This article reports an investigation of the drivers of Venezuelan asylum seekers - people who have left this country given the scarcity of food and medicines and the troubled actual socio-economic situation. To do so, we use data about the main countries in which Venezuelans have claimed for asylum during the period 2014-17. Using a panel-regression model, we have found that Venezuelan asylum seekers increase, on average, in countries that (i) are geographically nearby Venezuela, (ii) are less politically stable and (iii) have higher real income per capita, lower inflation rates and higher unemployment rates. Still, such a general profile of countries preferred by Venezuelan asylum seekers is nuanced by the small magnitude of the effects regarding the economic variables: it appears that Venezuelan asylum seekers hardly consider the economic situation of a country for deciding to stay. Furthermore, the empirical evidence provided by our model reflects the deterioration of Venezuela's socio-economic aspects. © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.