Language
Country/Area
No result found
From then to now: Why have the numbers of people living in extreme poverty dropped dramatically?
Extreme poverty is defined by the United Nations as severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation, health, shelter, education and information. Throughout history, the definition of extreme poverty has varied slightly as societies and economies have changed. According to 2018 data, extreme poverty mainly refers to people with an income of less than $1.90 a day. The standard was set for international prices in 2011, according to a World Bank report. This means that the global situation of extreme poverty has gradually improved over the past few centuries, which undoubtedly reflects the remarkable achievements made by the international community in poverty reduction with changes in policies and actions.
An estimated 734 million people worldwide still lived in extreme poverty in 2015, more than half the number of 1.9 billion in 1990.
This achievement is often underestimated, as if the problem of extreme poverty has never been solved. The first of the Millennium Development Goals proposed by the United Nations in 2000 was to "reduce extreme poverty and hunger." The goal was to halve the extreme poverty rate by 2015, a goal that was achieved in 2010. In the Sustainable Development Goals, ending all forms of extreme poverty is set as an important goal for 2030, which means that the international community will continue to be committed to addressing the problem of poverty in the coming years.
Main factors for poverty reduction
A number of international factors and policies have played a key role in the reduction of extreme poverty. The first is economic growth, especially in China, India, and other developing countries, where economic prosperity has directly contributed to poverty reduction. In addition, social policies and reforms in these countries have provided better education and public services to many people, thereby improving people's living standards.
"In order to eradicate poverty, it is necessary to provide good governance, rule of law and sustained economic growth."
On the other hand, the efforts of many international organizations, such as the United Nations, the World Bank and the cooperation of various governments, have provided strong support for improving the poverty situation by setting clear goals and norms. These institutions have made important contributions in terms of capital, technology and human resources, which have not only improved the infrastructure in poor areas but also promoted social stability and prosperity.
Current Challenges and Future Outlook
While extreme poverty has declined globally, many challenges remain. For example, vulnerable countries often face political conflict and economic turmoil, which can hinder progress in poverty reduction. Domestic inequality can also prevent the root causes of poverty from being eradicated even in countries with rapid economic growth.
"Improving governance structures and social welfare in fragile states will be key to ending extreme poverty in the future."
According to a World Bank report, by 2021, approximately 710 million people in the world will still live in extreme poverty. With the progress of globalization, poverty reduction has achieved certain success in many countries over the past 20 years, but in some regions, especially sub-Saharan Africa, the poverty problem remains serious. If we want to continue to reduce it, we urgently need extensive cooperation and efforts from the international community.
SummaryAs technology advances and economies grow, our hopes for ending extreme poverty grow, and many international efforts are beginning to show results. However, much more needs to be done, as we cannot ignore those who still live in extreme poverty. This makes us wonder: Can we continue this trend and achieve the goal of zero extreme poverty worldwide in the next decade?
