Factors Affecting Poverty and Inequality of Low Income Earners: Case Study in Mueang District Phetchabun

Abstract

This research aimed to study the factors affecting poverty and income inequality of low-income earners case study in Muang District, Phetchabun Province in order to figure out to develop and promote low-income earners case study in Muang District, Phetchabun Province out of poverty trap. The population was a group of low-income earners in Muang District, Phetchabun Province in fiscal year 2018, total 54,366 people using Yamane's sample selection method at 95% confidence level. Therefore, the sample size of this study was 400. The research tool used to collect data was a questionnaire, which consisted of two parts: Part I, the personal characteristics of the respondents, and Part 2, Factors affecting poverty and income inequality. The sample was 400 people who were 255 females and 145 males; mostly aged 46-59 years for 141 people, followed by 26-35 years old for 104 people, and the lowest 35 people, under 25 years old. It was found that 202 people had primary education level or lower, and the following had Bachelor's degree or equivalent, 105 people. Most of them had an average monthly income between 5,000 - 10,000 baht for 241 people and an average monthly income between 10,001 - 15,000 baht for 159 people. There were 243 people whose family members were between 4 - 6 people and 157 people were between 2 - 3 people. Most of them were the main expenditures in the family for 213 people and not the main expenditures in the family for 187 people. Overall level of factors affecting poverty and income inequality was at a high level (= 3.76, S.D. = 0.62). As for the analysis of the relationship between personal data factors, it was found that gender, age, occupation, education level and the income level of the respondents affected on poverty and income inequality at a significance level of .05.  Suggestions for further research, there should be a study covering every district of Phetchabun province to collect more insights by conducting a qualitative research and should review the literature to increase the variables involved in the study, such as obtaining support from government officials, implementing policies to reduce the income inequality gap of the people.