It is estimated that in 2018,at the annual UN meetings, nations will discuss about adopting the World Bank’s ambitious target of ending extreme poverty by 2030.
According to researches (source: The economist), every 1,2 seconds a person escapes extreme poverty.
But how do we define extreme poverty?
Well, anyone living on less than 1.90 $ per day is consider to be in extreme poverty, unable to afford basic food, clothing, shelter and healthcare.
But, what does it take to eradicate extreme poverty? Is it even possible to see the end of extreme poverty within a generation?
Already, there has been immense progress in the last years. In fact, poverty rates have fallen faster in the past 30 years than in any other time on record. (from 42% in 1981 to just 11% in 2013).
The remarkable fall is the result of changes in just two countries, China and India. Back in the 80’s the majority of these populations were living in extreme poverty.
54% INDIA (1983)
88% CHINA (1981)
Thankfully, the percentages have fallen in these 2 countries, affecting this way everyone around the world. Specifically, India has now less than 21% of their people in extreme poverty while China has now less than 2%.
Even though, there is no doubt about how successful these efforts have been in order to reduce extreme poverty , the closer we get to ending it, the harder it is going to be to do so. The reasons of what makes it such a difficult task are economic growth, recession in poor countries and supporting disabled and ill people to sustain their lives.
On the other hand,Sub-Saharan Africa is the only region where the number of really poor people has increased during the past three decades. Even though the percentage of the African population living in extreme poverty is slightly lower than in 1981 (54% 1990 to 41% at 2013) - population growth kept going on reaching to the point of actually doubling. African people account for more than one-third of the poor in the world, despite the fact that the continent is responsible for just 11% of the global population.
A lack of infrastructure, public transport and essential services in many African cities prevents poor people from education and being able to work.
By contrast, in East Asia, progress has been impressive. On current trends, the fastest-growing region in the world could see the end of poverty within a generation.
The World Bank projects that it's possible to end extreme poverty by 2030. But, it would take a heroic effort. The number of people in poverty will have to decrease by 50 million each year. It may sound as an impossible task right now but as Asia overcame extreme poverty it wont be too far fetched if India and many African countries achieved something similar one day.
Sources:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-extreme-poverty-be-el/
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-32082968