Multicriteria analysis models in assessing socio-economic development of small African states

the study is devoted to the use of multicriteria models for measuring the socio-economic conditions of small African states. The relevance of a comprehensive measurement that takes into account economic, social, environmental and institutional indicators is substantiated given the high sensitivity of such economies to external shocks. The analysis device examines integral indices - HDI, multidimensional poverty index, vulnerability index MVI – and constructs comparative profiles for thirteen countries. The information basis is made up of statistical series from the World Bank, IMF, UNDP, AfricaDataHub and Pacific Islands News Association, supplemented by the monograph by D?meland and Gil Sander. The novelty is determined by the integration of the latest version of the MVI into the scalarization procedure, which made it possible to identify discrepancies between income levels and quality of life, and to clarify the priorities of national development policy. The methods of substantive analysis of literature, normalization of indicators, weighting of criteria and ranking by Pareto optimality are applied. The practical value is expressed by the proposed matrix of actions for government bodies and donor organizations aimed at reducing vulnerability and strengthening human potential. The results are suitable for planning budget programs, structural reforms and assessing the effectiveness of external support in vulnerable island economies.

multicriteria analysis, small states, Africa, human development index, vulnerability index, integral indicators, socio-economic measurement, vulnerability, island economies, sustainable development