Abstract: This paper firstly builds a second-order pro-poor growth function for jointly measuring the absolute and relative pro-poorness of growth. A second-order pro-poor growth focuses on "the poorer in the poor" and by combining absolute and relative pro-poor growth, the joint measurement makes up for both defects. Second, the authors prove that this function has several fine properties. Finally, the authors apply the function to China and its provinces, and compare the results to the second-order, relative pro-poor's judgment. In most years, rural and urban areas in each province of China haven't witnessed second-order, absolute and relative pro-poor growth. In addition, compared to relative pro-poor method, this function is stricter and better in describing the volatility of pro-poor situations.

Key words: pro-poor growth, second-order, absolute pro-poorness, relative pro-poorness