INFLATION-UNEMPLOYMENT-POVERTY NEXUS IN NIGERIA, 2000-2013: AN EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE

The study was conducted to empirically measure the effect of economic conditions-unemployment and inflation and some demographic characteristics on poverty rate in Nigeria during the 2000-2013. Related literatures were reviewed. Two multiple regression models, one relating inflation and unemployment to head-count poverty, and another relating adult literacy, real wage and dependency ratio to poorest of the poor, were formulated, estimated and analyzed. The findings showed that all the explanatory variables were critical factors which combine in various degrees to influence poverty in Nigeria. Thus, it was recommended that government should urgently implement policies that promote employment generation, reduce public deficits, encourage private investments, reduce birth rate and stabilize foreign exchange rate.