Trends and Patterns in Wealth Index Assets: Observations From 68 Countries

Key Messages This commentary outlines 4 practical lessons derived from analyzing a country-specific measure of wealth available for use in 68 countries, serving as axioms, or rules of thumb, for development practitioners to simplify questions related to identifying relative poverty and for informing project design and implementation. Dwelling building materials strongly indicate relative wealth or poverty. Ownership of consumer electronics, appliances, and cleaner cooking fuels inside homes correlates with wealth. The assets that best indicate relative wealth vary based on a country’s economic development level. Assets indicating wealth may change over time due to affordability and technological advancements, with certain assets losing their discriminatory power while others gain significance.