The Role of other Economically Active Household Members in Poverty Alleviation

This study examines the contribution of other economically active household members in alleviating household poverty by focusing on their role in household income generation. It reveals that other economically active household members expand the pool of income earners in the household.

The study points to the significance of mobilizing additional household labor so that the household can reduce its dependence on a single source of income. Findings include:

• Number of other economically active household members, their education, age, and employment status contribute to a households income generation;
• Benefits received by other household members who are economically active and with access to the community oriented financial intermediaries system and other credit markets will have a positive effect on household welfare;
• Dependence on one source of income increases a households chances of becoming poor in the face of a changing environment;
• Having other economically active members in the household increases cooperation among the members and helps them get more out of their household incomes;
• Access to microfinance could offer new employment opportunities for other economically active members of poor families.