The topic of poverty is one that remains ever-present, both in the world at large and closer to home. The challenge of addressing this global issue has grown steadily in recent years, as a rise and fall in its rate has been observed worldwide.
It is an age-old issue that continues to challenge nations around the world. The poverty line may seem to drop in some countries, only for it to rise again in other parts of the world. But why does this happen? And how can we tackle it?
There are various methods to tackle poverty, often it is the support of NGOs that makes the most difference. So what else can be done and why is poverty still omnipresent in the 21st century?
There are several factors which lead to unsteady rises and declines in poverty rates. Economic shocks such as recessions or financial crises, political instability, food shortages, climate change and health emergencies are just a few of the things which can have an impact on people’s income and well-being. Furthermore, globalization has created new inequalities within many countries by increasing disparities between richer and poorer regions. As a result, individuals and families are increasingly more vulnerable to extreme poverty.
To better understand this phenomenon, it’s essential to look at some key facts. Recent figures show that an estimated 735 million people were living in extreme poverty in 2015 — down from 1.9 billion in 1990 — while between 2010 and 2016, the number of people living in moderate poverty decreased by around 200 million. On the other hand, the number of people living on less than $1.90 per day has risen slightly over recent years and could increase further if no action is taken to mitigate its impact.
So what does all this mean for tackling the issue? Well, it’s clear that several factors must be considered when trying to tackle poverty, including unequal economic growth and inequality between different populations or regions, gender-based disparities, and access to education, healthcare and job opportunities. To really make an impact here, there needs to be greater collaboration between government, private sector organisations and communities — all working together towards a common goal of reducing global poverty levels.
There are steps we can take to help tackle poverty more effectively. Governments should invest in education initiatives and job training programs so that everyone has equal access to employment opportunities and can develop the necessary skills needed for higher-paid jobs.
Public spending should also be focused on improving infrastructure and public services in poorer areas in order to create better-living conditions for citizens living there. Furthermore, policies that promote financial inclusion and equality should be implemented, including microfinance schemes, tax credits or social safety nets. These will help ensure that even those on low incomes still have access to essential services such as healthcare or education.
This means finding new ways to support those living below the poverty line such as providing more access to skills training programmes that create job opportunities for marginalised groups; it also means identifying how governments can redistribute wealth more fairly by reforming existing welfare systems or improving access to health care services; as well as promoting financial inclusion by helping those with limited resources get access to banking services so they can build up their own financial assets.
Overall, it is clear that tackling poverty requires action from both individuals and governments alike if we are going to reduce global inequality over time. We must make sure that everyone is able to benefit from economic growth and development opportunities so that the chances of becoming trapped in poverty decrease significantly. This means working together towards the same goal — a world free of poverty where everyone has equal opportunities regardless of their circumstances or background.
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Find out more about Tej Kohli: Tej Kohli the technologist investing in human triumph, Tej Kohli the philanthropist trying to cure the developing world of cataracts and Tej Kohli the London tycoon with a generous streak.
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