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October 2024…
The goal of halving poverty by 2030 is likely to be achieved by only a third of countries at the current rate of progress. However, the concept of poverty is changing rapidly.
Deprivations are no longer just economic, but also include issues such as climate change, access to clean energy and digital opportunities. These new deprivations are becoming increasingly influential in determining people’s quality of life.
The United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the first of which is “End Poverty”, aim to end all forms of poverty everywhere by 2030. But this goal remains one of the world’s biggest challenges, despite decades of global efforts.
INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST POVERTY…
In 1992, the United Nations proclaimed 17 October as the ‘International Day for the Eradication of Poverty’. The purpose of this day is to recognise the struggle of people living in poverty and to publicise their concerns. Also, to remind how vital solidarity is to end poverty and discrimination and to emphasise that everyone’s contribution is needed to build a sustainable future.
THE DEFINITION OF POVERTY IS CHANGING…
Although progress is being made in the fight against poverty, at this rate only some countries will be able to significantly reduce poverty by 2030. On the other hand, the concept of poverty is also changing. It is no longer just a lack of income, but also climate sensitivity, access to clean energy and digital deprivation.
UNPROMISING INDICATORS IN 2024…
Ending poverty requires comprehensive social protection systems, eliminating economic inequalities and measures to increase climate resilience. These steps must be realised with international cooperation. However, projections for 2024 show that a major leap in the fight against poverty is not expected. According to UN data, a quarter of people living in 75 of the world’s most vulnerable countries survive on less than 2.15 dollars a day. This is eight times higher than the global average of extreme poverty.
PANDEMICS AND WARS: CRISES THAT DEEPEN POVERTY
The 2024 Trends Report published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reveals that between 2020 and 2023, the pandemic and wars in Ukraine and Palestine pushed 165 million people into poverty. While the global picture of risks and opportunities is reshaping the meaning of poverty, around 4.5 billion people are vulnerable to extreme weather events. Half of these people are poor. This makes them more vulnerable to the effects of extreme weather conditions.
POVERTY DECLINES BUT THREATS PERSIST…
Although income poverty has declined in low- and middle-income countries, debt distress and declining public spending are taking their toll on those who need social services the most. The new definition of poverty goes beyond income poverty to include health, education and living standards, as well as digital access and mental health.
Digital technology is a new dimension of poverty. One third of the world still does not have internet access. While this rate is 39 percent in Asia, it goes up to 60 percent in Africa. Deprivation of the digital world exacerbates poverty.
URBANISATION AND THE THREAT OF SLUMS…
As urbanisation continues rapidly, it is predicted that 70 percent of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050. However, another danger brought about by this rapid urbanisation is the spread of slums. It is estimated that about 3 billion people will start living in slums or similar conditions in the next 30 years. This may lead to a further increase in urban poverty and social inequality.
CONCLUSION: THE CHANGING FACE OF POVERTY
The fight against poverty requires a holistic approach that is not limited to economic support but also takes into account new deprivations such as climate change, digital access and energy policies. These new challenges expand the meaning of poverty and make it imperative for the world to achieve a more sustainable and equitable future. Considering all these factors, the fight against poverty requires not only economic steps, but also social solidarity, environmental sensitivity and harmonisation with the digital world.
Source: www.undp.org
