Poverty



Understanding Global Poverty: What it is and how the World is fighting it

Poverty is one of the biggest challenges humanity faces, affecting millions of lives worldwide. But what exactly is poverty, and why does it still exist in a world full of resources and opportunities? Let’s break it down and understand the issue, especially as it impacts young people and the future.


9% of the global population, or around 700 million people, live in extreme poverty

At its core, poverty means living without enough money to meet basic needs like food, clean water, shelter, and education. The World Bank defines extreme poverty as surviving on less than $2.15 per day. Currently, about 9% of the global population, or around 700 million people, live in extreme poverty. While this number has significantly dropped from 35% in 1990, progress has slowed in recent years due to global crises.

The COVID-19 pandemic pushed an estimated 70 million people back into extreme poverty, undoing years of progress. Wars, such as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and climate change have made things even worse. Rising food and energy prices affect everyone but hit poor families the hardest. Imagine having to choose between paying for a meal or keeping the lights on—that’s the harsh reality for many.

The wealthiest 1% of the world owns nearly half of global wealth

One of the main reasons poverty persists is inequality. In some countries, the wealth gap between the richest and poorest is enormous. For instance, the wealthiest 1% of the world owns nearly half of global wealth. Inequality isn’t just about money; it’s also about access to opportunities like quality education, healthcare, and good jobs.

Young people are especially vulnerable to the effects of poverty. Over 70 million children around the world work instead of going to school because their families need extra income to survive. This limits their future prospects and perpetuates the cycle of poverty. Women and girls face additional challenges, such as unequal pay and limited access to education.

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to end extreme poverty by 2030

But there’s hope. Many organizations and governments are working to reduce poverty. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to end extreme poverty by 2030. This involves strategies like creating jobs, improving access to education and healthcare, and ensuring everyone has basic human rights. Some countries, like China and India, have lifted millions of people out of poverty through rapid economic growth and targeted social programs.

Innovative solutions are also making a difference. Mobile banking, for example, has allowed people in rural areas to save and borrow money for the first time. Programs like conditional cash transfers give money to families in exchange for things like sending their kids to school or getting health checkups.

Climate change is expected to push millions back into poverty

However, challenges remain. Climate change is expected to push millions back into poverty as floods, droughts, and other disasters destroy homes and livelihoods. Technology, while a powerful tool, also risks widening the gap between those who have access to it and those who don’t.

For young people, understanding poverty and its causes is the first step toward creating change. Whether it’s through volunteering, supporting fair trade products, or advocating for policies that help the less fortunate, every action counts. Poverty may seem like a massive problem, but it’s one the world can solve with collective effort, innovation, and compassion.

The fight against poverty is a fight for a better future, where everyone has the chance to thrive, regardless of where they’re born. By staying informed and taking action, young people have the power to be part of the solution.


FAO-WFP early warning analysis of acute food insecurity hotspots
The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2020

FAO

Interactive map

SDG Indicator 2.1.1 – Prevalence of undernourishment (PoU)
The number of undernourished people in the world continued to increase in 2019. If recent trends are not reversed, the SDG 2.1 Zero Hunger target will not be met. See global progress towards the eradication of hunger and malnutrition.
> fao.org/state-of-food-security-nutrition/2-1-1/en/



Bill Gates says poverty is decreasing. He couldn’t be more wrong – Jason Hickel

Jan 29, 2019 – Only 5% of all new income from global growth trickles down to the poorest 60% – and yet they are the people who produce most of the food and goods that the world consumes, toiling away in those factories, plantations and mines to which they were condemned 200 years ago. It is madness – and no amount of mansplaining from billionaires will be adequate to justify it.
> theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jan/29/bill-gates-davos-global-poverty-infographic-neoliberal