3.9. Global Poverty Scenario

The proportion of people in different countries living in extreme economic poverty—defined by the World Bank as living on less than $2.15 per day—has fallen from 16.27 per cent in 2010 to 9.05 per cent in 2019.

This chunk highlights the global decline in extreme poverty, which refers to those living on less than $2.15 a day. The significant drop from 16.27% in 2010 to 9.05% in 2019 indicates progress in poverty alleviation worldwide. It suggests that economic policies and aid in various countries have begun to succeed in lifting people out of dire poverty, showing improvement in living standards.

Imagine a classroom of 100 students, where 16 students are unable to afford a proper meal every day. By 2019, through the hard work of teachers and community programs, only about 9 students face this problem, meaning that the class has worked together to help reduce hunger and improve well-being.

Although there has been a substantial reduction in global poverty, it is marked with great regional differences. Poverty declined substantially in China and Southeast Asian countries as a result of rapid economic growth and massive investments in human resource development.

This segment emphasizes that while global poverty has decreased, the improvement has not been uniform across all regions. Countries like China and those in Southeast Asia have seen significant reductions in poverty due to their focused economic strategies and commitment to developing their workforce. This means that economic growth and investment in education and health can lead to better outcomes for poverty reduction.

Think of two neighboring communities, one that invests in education and healthcare while the other does not. Over time, the first community would likely thrive with more people getting good jobs and living healthy lives, whereas the second community might struggle with high unemployment and poor health.

In the countries of South Asia (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Maldives) the decline has also been rapid, but still faces challenges.

This chunk focuses on South Asia, highlighting that while poverty reduction has occurred, it is not without its difficulties. The region faces a variety of challenges that hinder faster and more effective poverty reduction, such as political instability, limited infrastructure, and social inequalities. Therefore, the progress isn't as pronounced as in other regions despite being rapid.

Imagine a relay race where one runner has to face obstacles, such as hurdles or muddy patches, while another runner has a smooth path. The runner with obstacles may lead but still faces setbacks, reflecting how South Asian countries may progress in reducing poverty but encounter barriers along the way.

The new sustainable development goals of the United Nations (UN) proposes ending poverty of all types by 2030.

This part discusses the ambitious goal set by the UN to completely eradicate poverty by the year 2030. This involves not just diminishing extreme poverty but aiming for a broader definition that includes various forms of poverty. The focus is not just on economic measures but also on social, educational, and healthcare improvements necessary for holistic poverty alleviation.

Imagine planning a community event where the goal is to not only feed the hungry but also ensure everyone has a place to live, access to education, and healthcare. It requires collaboration and commitment from various stakeholders to meet all those needs, similar to the comprehensive approach needed to eliminate poverty by 2030.

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