The study documents the extent and spread of poverty in rural Pakistan using two different approaches to define and measure population living in distress and deprivation. In addition, social exclusion is assessed by developing the geographical Indices of Multiple Derivations.

Income inequality and poverty affect each other directly and indirectly through their link with economic growth. Therefore, the study presents various summary measures of inequalities in rural per capita income and in ownership of land.

A brief description of social protection for the rural population is also supplemented to comprehend the response to rural poverty.