Classification and Regression Trees (CART): A User Reference Guide for Identifying Those Left Furthest Behind

The Covid-19 pandemic has aggravated existing inequalities whilst creating new vulnerabilities within societies in Asia and the Pacific. This user reference guide elaborates on the methodologies behind the process to identify those furthest behind using Classification and Regression Trees (CART), with explanations on how these methodologies can be modelled to assess the preparedness against Covid-19 pandemic, and how those results should be interpreted. The identification of those furthest behind could help policy makers to tailor social protection responses to those most vulnerable to contracting the virus to shield them from shocks and life contingencies inflicted by the Covid-19 pandemic.