Analysis of the spatial distribution of multidimensional poverty in Colombia, an approach based on Moran’s index

Steveen Alexander González Bula ,Dina Luz Jiménez Lobo ,Miguel José Solano Cabarcas

doi:10.24294/jipd11847

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Analysis of the spatial distribution of multidimensional poverty in Colombia, an approach based on Moran’s index

Steveen Alexander González Bula

Dina Luz Jiménez Lobo

Miguel José Solano Cabarcas

Journal of Infrastructure Policy and Development 2025, 9(4); https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd11847

Submitted：25 Jul 2025

Accepted：12 Dec 2025

Published：25 Dec 2025

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Abstract

This study examines the spatial distribution of socioeconomic conditions in Colombia, using Moran’s Index as a tool for spatial autocorrelation analysis. Key indicators related to education, health, infrastructure, access to basic services, employment, and housing conditions are addressed, allowing the identification of inequalities and structural barriers. The research reveals patterns of positive autocorrelation in several socioeconomic dimensions, suggesting a concentration of poverty and underdevelopment in certain geographic areas of the country. The results show that municipalities with more unfavorable conditions tend to cluster spatially, particularly in the northern, northwestern, western, eastern, and southern regions of the country, while the central areas exhibit better conditions. Permutation analyses are employed to validate the statistical significance of the findings, and LISA cluster maps highlight the regions with the highest concentration of poverty and social vulnerability. This work contributes to the literature on inequality and regional development in emerging economies, demonstrating that public policies should prioritize intervention in territories that exhibit significant spatial clustering of poverty. The methodology and findings provide a foundation for future studies on spatial correlation and economic planning in both local and international contexts.

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References

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