The Paradox of High Human Development with Persistency High Poverty and Inequality in Mongolia

Munkhzul Chimid-Ochir, PhD Candidate

In spite of its high human development index of 0.741 in 2022, Mongolia continues to have persistently high poverty and socio-economic inequality. To address this question, this study uses the lens of multi-dimensional well-being to explore the principal factors contributing to the stagnation of poverty and continued inequality in Mongolia over the past decade. The well-being framework draws upon Amartya Sen's capability approach and seeks to provide a comprehensive analysis of Mongolia's socio-economic landscape and identifies the reasons for poverty and inequality, evaluates government policies aimed at enhancing well-being, and assesses human well-being of the Mongolian people on six dimensions such as governance, ecology, culture, physical and emotional health, education, and standard of living, in both the urban and rural areas. This is done by analysing quantitative and qualitative data collected by the researcher in a mixed-methods study in six selected areas of the country. These areas are characterised respectively by high poverty, low poverty, climate change impacts. The findings are expected to highlight the complex interplay of economic development, environmental sustainability, and social equity and to propose strategies for leveraging Mongolia’s human development achievements.

Keywords: Population, Environment, and Climate Change, Population and Development, Mixed methods research, Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination

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