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Measuring Vulnerability

The Commonwealth Vulnerability Index for Developing Countries - the Position of Small States provides the means to measure the vulnerability of a country and to identify vulnerable states. It is based on the observation that income volatility is the most obvious evidence of vulnerability. There are three important determinants of income volatility:

  • lack of diversification;
  • extent of export dependence; and
  • impact of natural disasters.

The Index is used to determine whether small states should be given differential treatment by the international community.