Article · Social Indicators Research

Mapping the dimensions of poverty through big data, socioeconomic surveys and machine learning in Cambodia

Khoun Theara, Ate Poortinga, Soe Thwal, Gonzalez de Alba, Andrea McMahon and Carlos Mendez October 6, 2025
Inequality & disparitiesMachine learning & data science
Mapping the dimensions of poverty through big data, socioeconomic surveys and machine learning in Cambodia

Cambodia has grown rapidly yet remains economically vulnerable, with persistent poverty and limited, outdated subnational data. This study combines big-data sources, machine learning, and the Cambodia Socio-Economic Survey to predict and map the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index across 10 indicators in education, health, and living standards at fine spatial scales. By integrating gridded deprivation probabilities with building footprints, we estimate household-level deprivations. A random-forest model attains high accuracy for clean water, sanitation, food consumption, housing materials, cooking fuel, and electricity access. Key predictors include nighttime lights, population density, and road networks. Challenges persist—especially the need for unbiased training data and limited capacity to capture within-province or within-district disparities. Nevertheless, the approach shows how big data and machine learning can complement traditional surveys to deliver more granular and timely measurements on multidimensional poverty.

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