The pressing issue of poverty in the North African country of Tunisia needs to be addressed. While attempting to understand the causes of poverty in Tunisia, patterns of unemployment, food insecurity and civil unrest have become most apparent.
In 2021, Tunisia’s poverty rate rose to 16.6% from 15.2% in 2015 and it has been projected to increase further to 17.1% in 2024. Furthermore, although the nation has experienced some economic growth in the tourism sector (+17% year-on-year) and transportation (+5%), over the years, the wealth achieved so far is unevenly distributed, with those living in the coastal regions benefiting more than those in the inland areas. The COVID-19 pandemic has also caused a rise in unemployment, which has worsened the situation.
Poverty, in particular, affects those in central Tunisia at a higher rate than those on the outskirts of the country’s borders.
3 Leading Causes of Poverty in Tunisia
Hunger is a pressing issue within Tunisia that contributes to poor living conditions for many. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 12.6% or more than 1.5 million of Tunisia’s population experienced severe or moderate food insecurity in 2022. One of the primary causes of food insecurity in Tunisia is the country’s dependence on agricultural imports, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine exacerbating the situation. Many problems are associated with malnutrition on such a large scale, including limits to economic productivity and increased health costs for many.
Tunisia also has a remarkably high unemployment rate, which affects, in particular, the youths. The country’s unemployment rate reached approximately 16% in the first quarter of 2023, one of the highest among countries in the Middle East and Central Asia. The high unemployment rate among youth is due to various structural and policy factors, including the fact that the demand for skilled labor is primarily concentrated in the public administration sector, which faces constraints due to budgetary limitations and the trends of privatization and deregulation.
The civil unrest that has plagued Tunisia since 2011 is another one of the significant causes of poverty in Tunisia. The political instability resulting from the Ben Ali regime stems from dissatisfaction with poverty and unemployment that plague many Tunisians. This unrest has since driven away tourists and business investors alike, which has further increased unemployment for Tunisians, as not enough jobs are being created to meet the demands of the growing workforce.
Organizations Tackling Poverty in Tunisia
There are several nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) working to combat hunger, unemployment and poverty in Tunisia. Among them is Islamic Relief, which has been operational in the country since 2011. Since its establishment, the nonprofit has been running a program that ensures more than 270 school children receive daily meals.
Moreover, the organization is dedicated to enhancing the lives of Tunisians by collaborating with farmers and offering vocational training to the youth. This initiative aims to equip them with the skills needed for self-employment, ultimately breaking the cycle of unemployment and poverty.
Another notable nonprofit in Tunisia is the Tunisian Youth Alternative Network (RAJ TUNISIE), founded in 2013 in response to the civil unrest that began in 2011. Serving as a mediator between various stakeholders, the organization focuses on youth issues, encouraging greater participation among young Tunisians in building the “new democratic and pluralist Tunisia.”
Final Remark
Like every other country, Tunisia is facing some challenges like high youth unemployment rates, civil unrest and poverty. However, several NGOs, such as the Islamic Relief, are actively at the forefront in the fight against poverty in Tunisia.
– Jennifer Faulkner
Photo: Flickr
Updated: May 27, 2024
Factors Affecting the Tanzania Poverty Rate
Over the last decade, the Tanzania poverty rate has decreased to about 47 percent. Political stability, agricultural growth and increased access to education have all widely contributed to Tanzania’s victory in poverty reduction. Improving infrastructure, gender equality and employment are the keys to helping the remaining 2 million people still struggling on less than $0.60 a day.
Infrastructure
The 2015 World Bank Poverty Assessment showed a strong link between poverty and low access to public infrastructure. Tanzania’s infrastructure is limited, which leads to only 2.9 percent of poor people having access to grid power. Additionally, only 16 percent of the poor have access to paved roads. A further reduction in poverty and sustainable economic growth will require additional investments in transport and energy infrastructure.
Gender Equality
Even though the Tanzanian Constitution assures equal participation for women and men, discrepancies still exist. Disparity still exists in education, while women continue to face inequality in social, economic and political activities. Recently, The National Gender Development Policy and Strategy have set new targets within the constitution for gender equality. But to successfully achieve goals on the poverty reduction level, institutional support will be essential.
Employment
35 percent of people in Tanzania between 15 and 35 years of age are unemployed. Lack of basic skills, poor infrastructure and unavailable jobs are key contributors to youth unemployment. Addressing unemployment requires both supply and demand interventions. The enhancement of quality education will need to be available to even more people. Demand-side measures will have to provide advanced solutions in finance, infrastructure deficiencies and business support services.
Despite these issues, the Tanzania poverty rate has seen tremendous improvements. Tanzania deserves credit for its reduction of child mortality, a decrease in the incidence of HIV/AIDS and a significant drop in food insecurity. As for the areas that still need work, the country has partnered with the African Development Bank to achieve even more progress in poverty reduction.
– Emilee Wessel
Photo: Flickr
Why Is Djibouti Poor?
Djibouti is a small nation located in the Horn of Africa between Ethiopia, Somalia and Eritrea. The country faces a major poverty problem. About 41 percent of the population live in poverty and 23 percent live in extreme poverty. So why is Djibouti poor?
At the heart of Djibouti’s poverty is a lack of resources. The arid land makes Djibouti a poor place for farming. In fact, just 0.04 percent of land in Djibouti is arable; this is largely due to the harsh, dry climate. Drought is common and a huge threat to Djibouti’s rural population, which consists of nomadic farmers. The most recent drought saw malnutrition rates rise to 18 percent and in some areas, chronic malnutrition was as high as 30 percent.
These conditions have caused people to flee to urban areas like Djibouti’s capital city, which is home to over 75 percent of the population. Due to the unprofitable nature of farming in Djibouti, the country has to rely on foreign imported food to feed its people.
In addition to a poor agricultural sector, Djibouti also suffers from the stresses of war. In the 1990s, Djibouti experienced a civil war after President Hassan Gouled Aptidon transformed the government into a single party state and began granting privileges to the Issa clan. The Afar clan rebelled, which led to a three year civil war. By the time peace was finally attained, the war had caused significant damage to rural livestock production and infrastructure. Djibouti has spent a decade recovering from these damages.
Despite these great challenges, Djibouti’s future is looking brighter. The nation is gaining significant investment, primarily from China, in the hopes of making Djibouti a free trade zone. These investments have caused Djibouti’s GDP to grow and the country is expected to have its GDP growth rate continue to rise in the next two years. Consistent foreign investment in infrastructure and Djibouti government reforms to make the area more business friendly could be a significant boon to ending poverty in Djibouti. Hopefully with continued progress, we will no longer have to ask “Why is Djibouti poor?”
– Carson Hughes
Photo: Flickr
Common Diseases in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a country that has made huge strides in terms of disease reduction and increased sanitation. The nation achieved an all-time high of 98 percent of the population having access to clean water in 2010. This has enormously limited the number of diseases spread by poor water sanitation. With that said, what are the common diseases in St. Vincent and the Grenadines?
Of diseases common in developing countries, less than 3 percent of the population of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has HIV/AIDS, dengue, tuberculosis or leptospirosis. This is due to impressive programs in the nation, such as the Expanded Program on Immunization, which maintained a rate of 95-98 percent immunization of children under five years old. Another program that helped to achieve these outstanding figures is the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission Program, which tested 100 percent of pregnant women for HIV/AIDS, and gave antiretrovirals, free of cost, to those who were positive.
There are very few diseases that can even be considered common in the small island nation. Of communicable diseases, the largest are acute respiratory infection, which had about 29,631 cases between 2006-2010, and the Zika virus, which had around seven cases per week in 2016. While cases of Zika have reduced greatly in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, it still poses a threat to the population, as there is no known cure for the virus and it can be spread very easily between individuals. Because of this, it is still considered a hazard to the population and those who are traveling there.
Overall, this small island nation has incredibly low disease spread because of its commitment to protecting its citizens at whatever the cost. Because of this, there are very few common diseases in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The country sets an excellent example for other developing nations for disease prevention and reduction. Even as the poorest country in the eastern Caribbean, with a number of other issues to deal with as it develops, it has made incredible progress.
– Liyanga De Silva
Photo: Flickr
Human Rights in Nauru
What do you know about Nauru? That it is the smallest republic in the world? In 1968, the island of Nauru gained its independence, and a bit over three decades later became the smallest independent republic in the world when it joined the United Nations.
The south Pacific island is home to just under 10,000 people. Those who live there are governed by a parliamentary republic. Today, Nauru is arguably better known for its human rights issues than for its last place finish in the world’s largest country contest. While there are certainly those who are not satisfied with the protection of human rights in Nauru, the evidence suggests that the nation does a very admirable job in this area.
Some of the allegations of human rights violations in Nauru were related to corruption. However, the U.S. State Department’s 2014 report on Nauru did not reach the same conclusion. The report states that the government, led by President Baron Waqa, utilizes its resources effectively to investigate and punish abuse and corruption. This seems to be working well, as there were zero reports of impunity involving Nauruan security forces in 2014.
Another frequent concern are the prison and detention center conditions in Nauru. This worry stemmed from an incident in the summer of 2013 when asylum seekers in Nauru’s Australian-run detention center rioted. The riot was the result of Australia announcing that Australia would put into effect more rigid immigration policies. Ultimately, more than 60 asylum seekers faced criminal charges. The world’s perception of human rights in Nauru has been greatly affected by this incident.
While this occurrence certainly represents a stain on the nation’s human rights record, it does not capture the full picture. In fact, the State Department’s report states that prison conditions generally met international standards.
The protection of women and women’s rights is another aspect of Nauru’s protection of human rights that is sometimes criticized. Part of this concern stems from the fact that women’s participation in politics is significantly less than that of men’s. However, since there are no rules or laws stopping women from participating, this may be more of a cultural issue.
Authorities in Nauru have been successful in protecting women against domestic violence and rape. The State Department’s report states that the courts “vigorously prosecuted” reported cases of rape.
There is clearly still work to be done and room for improvement, but the tiny island nation of Nauru is succeeding in protecting its people’s human rights in many regards.
– Adam Braunstein
Photo: Flickr
Common Diseases in Bahrain
People living with HIV/AIDS comprise only .01 percent of Bahrain’s total population. While Bahrain has a very low HIV/AIDS rate compared to other countries in the region, there are still other common diseases in Bahrain.
The Joint Mission found that cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers and chronic respiratory diseases are all common diseases in Bahrain. Non-communicable diseases cause 78 percent of deaths in Bahrain. Many dietary behaviors are correlated with obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Diets high in sodium and fatty acids, for example, can contribute to future cardiovascular diseases.
Cancer in Bahrain also contributes to a small percentage of deaths. Bronchial and lung cancers are the most common among the population of Bahrain. Tobacco use is very common among adults and children daily: one-third of men in Bahrain use tobacco.
Furthermore, much of the population is not physically active and does not eat enough fruits and vegetables. One-third of the population is hypertensive and 15 percent are diabetic. Diabetes has many effects on the population. Diabetic retinopathy, diabetic neuropathies and heart diseases related to diabetes are prevalent in the population.
The government is in the process of coming up with preventative measures to decrease the cardiovascular disease rate and those of other common diseases in Bahrain. The National Health Strategy 2015-2018 will provide health insurance, and an executive committee has been established for a national health insurance program. The committee is currently looking for ways to improve efficiency in using scarce health resources.
Only a small amount of the nation’s budget is allocated for public health each year. In 2014, only 4.98 percent of the budget was spent on healthcare. The density of physicians and nurses has been fairly low over the past few years.
However, there has been some progress made in recent years. For example, the national medicine policy has been updated by the Directorate of Materials Management, and some government sectors have collaborated through the national purchasing committee.
Bahrain has a good economy and relatively low rates of disease compared to other countries in its area. With the proper treatment and education, Bahrain’s cardiovascular disease rate can decrease a small amount at a time. With the help of the government and its people, the country can work to continue to educate everyone on preventative measures.
– Treasure Shepard
Photo: Flickr
10 Facts About the Poverty Rate in Senegal
Senegal, the westernmost country in Africa, has a population of about 13 million people. Nearly half of the Senegalese population—46.7 percent, to be exact—are living in poverty. The following 10 facts explain and give context for the poverty rate in Senegal:
Despite the fact that the poverty rate in Senegal is high, many projects have been implemented to reduce the poverty rate. President Macky Sall unveiled the Emerging Senegal Plan (ESP), which strives to prioritize economic reforms and growth. The International Monetary Fund is providing assistance for the ESP from 2015 to 2017.
In an attempt to take a fresh look at poverty, Senegal’s national statistics office distributed the second Senegal Poverty Monitoring Survey. The World Bank, the Canadian government and the World Food Programme provided financial support. The survey, however, has room for error, because it is heavily dependent on the time of year that residents fill it out, as consumption levels vary based on the harvest.
Furthermore, microfinance has begun to play a key role in reducing poverty in very poor countries, such as Senegal. This program has allowed very poor individuals who are excluded from traditional banking to obtain microloans. The Hunger Project introduced the Microfinance Program (MFP) in Senegal, which strives to incorporate female farmers and entrepreneurs to give them a larger voice in the community. Three of the MFPs in Senegal have been approved by the government to operate as rural banks. MFPs provide credit and savings programs and have allowed many farmers to move beyond exclusively subsistence farming.
Economic growth will be the key component in reducing poverty in Senegal. These projects from the Senegalese government and various organizations hope to spark economic growth and help reduce the poverty rate in Senegal.
– Christiana Lano
Photo: Google
Causes of Poverty in South Korea Among the Elderly
While in many poor countries poverty disproportionately affects the young, the opposite is true for South Korea. After the Korean war of the 1950s, South Korea saw a period of extreme poverty, followed by a fifty-year rise to economic power. And while this rise was good news for most of the country, it also meant that the bulk of all poverty in South Korea was pushed onto its elderly population, with nearly half of all citizens over the age of 65 living in poverty.
One reason for this has been what many people have called South Korea’s cut-throat nature. Known for its ruthless competition over test scores and prestigious jobs, South Korea’s population has accumulated wealth at such a fast pace that social mores have struggled to keep up with the pace of change. In much of Asia, it has long been a tradition to honor and care for elderly relatives as part of a Confucian social contract. However, as the country’s young population has migrated to cities, away from the family unit, expectations have drastically changed. In just the past fifteen years, the percentage of young South Koreans who believe they should care for their parents has plummeted from 90 percent to 37 percent.
In the absence of this social expectation, there exists little to no government program to take its place. South Korea was ranked second-to-last in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in terms of spending on welfare for the elderly. Only a third of the elderly population receives a pension, and the pension itself makes for a threadbare living at best. Many people do not even attempt to receive the government pension out of embarrassment, since, to be eligible, an applicant has to prove that his or her children are unwilling or incapable of providing support.
Elderly and Poverty in South Korea
In 2012, South Korea enacted an ill-conceived way to improve the situation, called the “National Happiness Pension,” which only slightly raised pensions, and only for the poorest 70 percent of seniors. Addressing elderly poverty is, sadly, still not a first priority for the South Korean government, which has widespread unemployment and a tumultuous relationship with North Korea to contend with.
Since 2012, however, young South Koreans have begun to recognize the need for action. The Korea Legacy Committee, begun by Mike Kim, an entrepreneur in Seoul and the director of Asia-Pacific partnerships at Google, is dedicated to addressing this issue. Consisting of Kim and eight other Korean entrepreneurs, all working in different fields, the Korea Legacy Committee is tasked with solving this crisis of poverty, first and foremost by raising awareness of the issue. Since 2015, the KLC has held monthly events for their volunteers to interact with elderly pensioners from the Seoul Senior Welfare Center, and quarterly fundraisers, the money from which goes to the senior center’s meal program. So far, the organization has raised more than $20,000.
While South Korea’s elderly population still suffers from poverty and neglect, the rest of the population is slowly coming to terms with the depth of this issue and is finding ways to help. This will be the first step in solving this crisis. Though the end to poverty in South Korea is within sight, there is still a long way to go.
– Audrey Palzkill
Decreasing the Cyprus Poverty Rate Among the Elderly
The European Social Watch Report 2010 identified the elderly as the generation most at-risk to be affected by poverty. However, within the past few years, the over-65 poverty rate has decreased dramatically, dropping from 45 percent in 2008 to 17.3 percent in 2015. Two key factors played a major role in this improvement.
Causes of Poverty in Cyprus
Pension Maturation: Everyone who is gainfully employed in Cyprus (including self-employed individuals) is eligible to receive compulsory social insurance. This insurance also includes an old age pension, which is the primary source of income for Cypriots over age 65.
The current Cypriot social insurance scheme was last reformed in 1980, affecting pension levels in two important ways. First, the system changed from a flat-rate to an earnings-related structure. This means that the level of pension available is based on the level of insurable earnings. Second, pension levels are based on the length of the contribution period. As the current system has “matured,” or gotten older, retiring Cypriots have had more time to contribute to their pensions. This has allowed for an increase in income from old-age pension, directly correlating to the decrease in the over-65 poverty rate.
Overall Wage Decline: In the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis, unemployment rose and wages fell in Cyprus. The European Social Policy Network (ESPN) cited both a 7.6 percent drop in mean monthly earnings for full-time workers between 2010 and 2014 and a rise in non-standard employment as repercussions of the crisis. However, income for Cypriots over 65 remained relatively stable due to the old age pension.
It is important to note that the dramatic decline in the over-65 poverty rate in Cyprus is not necessarily secure. The ESPN predicts that pension growth will level off as the system fully matures, the poverty line will rise as the economy grows and pension levels will be lower in the future as workers in non-standard positions retire. Maintaining the current Cyprus poverty rate for Cypriots over age 65 will require focusing on income levels for retirees. In the current system, that means safeguarding the ability for workers to obtain an adequate pension.
– Erik Beck
Photo: Flickr
Causes of Poverty in Tunisia
The pressing issue of poverty in the North African country of Tunisia needs to be addressed. While attempting to understand the causes of poverty in Tunisia, patterns of unemployment, food insecurity and civil unrest have become most apparent.
In 2021, Tunisia’s poverty rate rose to 16.6% from 15.2% in 2015 and it has been projected to increase further to 17.1% in 2024. Furthermore, although the nation has experienced some economic growth in the tourism sector (+17% year-on-year) and transportation (+5%), over the years, the wealth achieved so far is unevenly distributed, with those living in the coastal regions benefiting more than those in the inland areas. The COVID-19 pandemic has also caused a rise in unemployment, which has worsened the situation.
Poverty, in particular, affects those in central Tunisia at a higher rate than those on the outskirts of the country’s borders.
3 Leading Causes of Poverty in Tunisia
Hunger is a pressing issue within Tunisia that contributes to poor living conditions for many. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 12.6% or more than 1.5 million of Tunisia’s population experienced severe or moderate food insecurity in 2022. One of the primary causes of food insecurity in Tunisia is the country’s dependence on agricultural imports, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine exacerbating the situation. Many problems are associated with malnutrition on such a large scale, including limits to economic productivity and increased health costs for many.
Tunisia also has a remarkably high unemployment rate, which affects, in particular, the youths. The country’s unemployment rate reached approximately 16% in the first quarter of 2023, one of the highest among countries in the Middle East and Central Asia. The high unemployment rate among youth is due to various structural and policy factors, including the fact that the demand for skilled labor is primarily concentrated in the public administration sector, which faces constraints due to budgetary limitations and the trends of privatization and deregulation.
The civil unrest that has plagued Tunisia since 2011 is another one of the significant causes of poverty in Tunisia. The political instability resulting from the Ben Ali regime stems from dissatisfaction with poverty and unemployment that plague many Tunisians. This unrest has since driven away tourists and business investors alike, which has further increased unemployment for Tunisians, as not enough jobs are being created to meet the demands of the growing workforce.
Organizations Tackling Poverty in Tunisia
There are several nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) working to combat hunger, unemployment and poverty in Tunisia. Among them is Islamic Relief, which has been operational in the country since 2011. Since its establishment, the nonprofit has been running a program that ensures more than 270 school children receive daily meals.
Moreover, the organization is dedicated to enhancing the lives of Tunisians by collaborating with farmers and offering vocational training to the youth. This initiative aims to equip them with the skills needed for self-employment, ultimately breaking the cycle of unemployment and poverty.
Another notable nonprofit in Tunisia is the Tunisian Youth Alternative Network (RAJ TUNISIE), founded in 2013 in response to the civil unrest that began in 2011. Serving as a mediator between various stakeholders, the organization focuses on youth issues, encouraging greater participation among young Tunisians in building the “new democratic and pluralist Tunisia.”
Final Remark
Like every other country, Tunisia is facing some challenges like high youth unemployment rates, civil unrest and poverty. However, several NGOs, such as the Islamic Relief, are actively at the forefront in the fight against poverty in Tunisia.
– Jennifer Faulkner
Photo: Flickr
Updated: May 27, 2024
Causes of Poverty in Botswana
The discovery of diamonds in 1967 helped Botswana to move from one of the poorest countries in Africa to a middle income country. Ironically, that same discovery contributed to vast levels of income inequality and poverty in the nation. Though Botswana is not technically a poor nation, substantial clusters of poverty remain in its rural areas. In some rural areas, the poverty rate is as high as 46 percent and unemployment for the country is at 20 percent. Here are some of the main causes of poverty in Botswana.
The skills taught in the education sector often do not match the skills needed to execute jobs available in the job market. This has led to a mass influx of certain skills in the job market, resulting in high unemployment for graduates. Several youths between the ages of 15 and 24 are unemployed in Botswana due to being poorly prepared for potential careers. This age group makes up 51 percent of the unemployed population in Botswana.
Unemployment rates are higher among women than men. Botswana men are generally better educated than women so their employment rates tend to be higher. Women also have trouble entering the labor force because of social standards and barriers. Because of these barriers, women make up a mere 36 percent of formal sector employees but make up 75 percent of informal sector employees.
Lack of ownership of livestock is a significant cause of poverty in Botswana. About 47 percent of farmers do not own cattle and those who do own cattle only own small herds. Thus, the poorest 71 percent of traditional farmers own only about 8 percent of total traditional herds, while the richest 2.5 percent own about 40 percent. About 10 percent of farming households own 60 percent of the 2.3 million cattle in the country. This system makes it so that wealth in the country continues to be dispersed unequally. The rich remain rich and the poor remain poor.
While there are several causes of poverty in Botswana, the future of Botswana’s economy looks optimistic. The Botswana government has recently released Vision 2036, a framework designed to reduce the poverty rate and secure prosperity for all. The plan is ambitious and is backed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Prior to creating the plan, the president engaged in a countrywide dialogue with citizens of Botswana to understand their goals and needs, ensuring that Vision 2036 captures their perspectives. If the plan is effective, by 2036 Botswana will be a high-income country with virtually no one living under the poverty line.
– Jeanine Thomas
Photo: Flickr