The global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), which measures acute poverty across more than 100 developing countries, is jointly released by which international institution?

Introduction / Context:
The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) is an increasingly important global indicator that goes beyond income to assess multiple deprivations people face in health, education and living standards. Examinations often test awareness of which body issues this influential index, because it appears frequently in reports about poverty reduction and development performance in more than 100 developing countries.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The index is called the global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI).
• It covers over 100 developing countries.
• The options list four international organisations: UNESCO, UNCTAD, UNDP and OECD.
• The question asks which institution gives the global MPI.

Concept / Approach:
The approach is to recall that the MPI is closely linked to human development research rather than to trade, culture or economic cooperation alone. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is known for publishing the Human Development Reports and related indices. The global MPI is produced by UNDP in partnership with the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI). In many competitive exam questions, UNDP is treated as the key organisation associated with the MPI.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Remember that UNESCO focuses on education, science, culture and heritage, not primarily on multi dimensional poverty measurement.Step 2: Note that UNCTAD specialises in trade, investment and development policy analysis, and is not the main body behind the MPI.Step 3: Recall that the Human Development Report Office of UNDP is responsible for indices such as the Human Development Index and related composite measures.Step 4: The global MPI is explicitly described in UNDP reports as a joint product of UNDP and OPHI, which makes UNDP the correct choice in exam style questions.Step 5: Therefore, select UNDP as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
A simple verification is to remember that the MPI appears in the Human Development Report publications. These have always carried the UNDP logo and branding and are used by governments, researchers and civil society to compare country performance. OECD has its own well being and inequality measures for member countries, but it does not publish the global MPI for developing economies. This cross check confirms that UNDP is the correct option.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
UNESCO: Although it works on education and culture, UNESCO is not responsible for the MPI series and does not publish the Human Development Reports.
UNCTAD: Focuses on trade and development issues, including investment and commodities, but not on the MPI indicator.
OECD: Publishes indices such as Better Life Index, but its membership, focus and datasets are very different and it does not issue the global MPI that covers many low and middle income countries.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often confuse UNDP with UNESCO because both have a strong focus on education and human development. Another mistake is to think that any index with the word global must be associated with the OECD or the World Bank. One should carefully recall which agency is historically linked with the Human Development Report series and with poverty and capability measurement, namely UNDP.

Final Answer:
The global Multidimensional Poverty Index is issued by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).