Effects Of Poverty On Rural Household Welfare In Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Poverty affects both men and women in most rural households. The study therefore examined the effects of poverty on rural household in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used in selecting 120 respondents. Data were collected on socio economic characteristics, measurement of poverty and perception of poverty, using structured interview schedule. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data collected. The mean age of the respondents is 43, while majority (80.8%) of the respondents were married with an average annual income of #181,291.67. The most severe measurement of poverty is low income level (WMS = 1.58) while lack of access to good health is a major way of perceiving poverty (WMS = 4.30) among the respondents. The findings of the study also revealed that the major effect of poverty on household is low standard of living (98.3%). A significant relationship was found between age (r = .018*, p = 0.05), household size (r = .025**, p = 0.01), level of income (r = -.068**, p = 0.01) and the effects of poverty. The study therefore recommends that Government should invest more in farming especially in rural areas to increase the purchasing power of households. Also to provide finance for investment so as to increase the rural income level and thereby improving their standard of living.