Understanding World Poverty

JUNE 18, 2023

World poverty is a complex issue that affects millions of people around the globe. Although some progress has been made in recent years, there is still much to be done to eradicate this problem completely.

According to the World Bank, around 9.2% of the world’s population lived in extreme poverty in 2017, which means they subsisted on less than $1.90 per day. This statistic alone highlights the severity of the issue.

The causes of poverty are complex and multifaceted. Some of the root causes include a lack of access to education and healthcare, corruption, political instability, and climate change. Additionally, conflicts and wars can exacerbate poverty by displacing people from their homes and depriving them of basic necessities such as food and water.

The effects of poverty are far-reaching and can have serious implications for individuals, families, and entire communities. Poverty can trap people in a cycle of underemployment and low-wage work, depriving them of the opportunity to improve their lives. Lack of access to basic necessities such as clean water, food, and healthcare can also lead to illness and disease.

Fortunately, there are many organizations and initiatives dedicated to fighting poverty. The United Nations, for example, has made eradicating poverty one of its top priorities through its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). There are also many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as Oxfam, CARE, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that work to address poverty in various ways.

Overall, addressing world poverty requires a multifaceted approach that includes not only aid and assistance but also addressing the root causes of poverty such as education, healthcare, and political instability. With concerted effort and resources, it is possible to reduce and eventually eliminate poverty around the world.

Key takeaways:

• Around 9.2% of the world’s population lived in extreme poverty in 2017.
• Poverty has complex and multifaceted causes including a lack of access to education and healthcare, corruption, political instability, and climate change.
• Poverty can have serious implications for individuals, families, and entire communities such as low-wage work, illness, and disease.
• There are organizations and initiatives dedicated to fighting poverty such as the United Nations and NGOs like Oxfam and CARE.
• Addressing poverty requires a multifaceted approach including aid and assistance but also addressing