Denmark is known for its high taxation and social spending as a significant portion of its budget, but it may be a lesser-known fact that the cost of living in Denmark is among the highest in the world.
As of 2017, the cost of living in Denmark was ranked sixth in terms of its consumer price index (including rent), which is currently at 65.83. The consumer price index is a calculation of the average prices of rent and consumer goods and services within the country. Though this number is high, it pales in comparison to the two other Nordic nations that are also listed as being in the top ten most expensive countries to live. Namely, Iceland, which was ranked third with a CPI index of 92.79, and Norway, ranked fourth with a CPI index of 76.70.
The reference point of these CPI calculations is the cost of living (including rent) in New York City, meaning that New York City is a baseline equal to 100. That said, this data reflects that the average cost of rent plus the average cost of living in Denmark is 34.17% less than the cost of living and rent in New York City.
The country also has a sales tax rate of 25% and Danish citizens, in almost all cases, pay more for consumer goods and services. For example, the price of a Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI hatchback in the U.S. is approximately $20,000. In Denmark, this price is about $45,747.33, and the cost of gas is about or $1.59 per liter, or $6.36 per gallon.
Among other comparisons to the U.S., the average price in Denmark for a pair of Levi 501 jeans is about $130, a basic dinner for two in a local pub or diner is about $64 and a 40” flat screen television costs about $603. Also, the median monthly rent for a furnished 480-square-foot studio apartment in an average neighborhood is about $917, in addition to an average of $190 in utilities per person.
Another unique aspect of the Danish economy is that although the average citizen makes about $43,000 per year, they devote between 35 to 45% of this to their income taxes, depending on whether they are married, have kids and a few other factors. For those making $67,000 or more per year, a total of 52% of their income will go to taxes, and the highest marginal tax rate for the wealthiest is currently 55.8%. However, these tax rates are comparatively lower than in the past. Data shows that in 1997, Danes paid a record high top marginal income tax of 65.9%, and the rate did not fall below 60% until 2009.
Nonetheless, as of August 2016, 60% of Danes said that they would oppose tax cuts, 15% said they were unsure and only 25% favored them. The reason for such a high level of support for high taxation is because most Danes view the taxes as an investment for a better society and an increased quality of life.
Since it is a focus of many Danish policymakers to take into consideration the quality of life and overall happiness for their citizens, they ensure that they have a highly funded welfare system. For this reason, it is not surprising that education is entirely free even at the university level and every Danish student gets $900 monthly from the government. This is not only beneficial for young people, but it also relieves parents from having to worry about how they will finance their children’s education.
Denmark also has one of the most generous parental leave policies worldwide, allowing parents up to a total of 32 weeks of funding from the state to tend to their newborns following birth, as well as free, safe and high-quality health care for all citizens.
The Danish labor market is also positively impacted by the welfare model. By practicing an extremely efficient active labor market policy that, among other things, provides job-searching assistance to the unemployed and makes efforts to keep the unemployed actively engaged in searching for a job. In addition to this, if a Danish citizen loses his job, he can receive unemployment insurance for up to four years.
Perhaps it is a combination of these things that has led Denmark to be ranked the happiest nation in the world for the third year in a row, according to the United Nation’s World Happiness report of 2016. The five countries that were ranked directly below Denmark were Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, Finland and Canada, which is notably significant as all of those countries also impose high taxation and have similar welfare programs in place.
While the cost of living in Denmark is high, and the country is certainly not a flawless, utopian society, it appears to value the well-being of its people over economic growth. Demark can, at a minimum, serve as a role model to the global community when it comes to improving the lives of its citizens.
– Hunter Mcferrin
Philippines’ Poverty Rate: Rural Communities Still Left Behind
The Philippines’ poverty rate decreased from 25.2% in 2012 to 21.6% in 2015, according to the Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
The drop in the Philippines’ poverty rate coincides with a steady decline for extreme poverty in the country. In 2015, 12.1% of the population lived in extreme poverty. Those who classify as living under extreme poverty are those whose earnings cannot buy three meals a day.
But despite the decline in these numbers, there are still glaring problems regarding the issue of poverty. One of the more prominent ones is the continued prevalence of poverty within most of the basic sectors in the country. Five of the nine basic sectors determined by the PSA—farmers (34.3%), fishermen (34.0), children belonging to families with income below the official poverty threshold (31.4), self-employed and unpaid family workers (25.0) and women belonging to poor families (22.5)—have higher poverty rates than the general population (at 21.6%). Farmers and fishermen consistently registered as the two sectors with the highest poverty incidence since 2006.
Poverty in the Philippines
Not surprisingly, the poorest regions in the country lay in the rural and agricultural areas, particularly in the island of Mindanao, an underdeveloped region that has also served as a battleground for Muslim militants and government forces for decades. The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) registered the highest poverty incidence in the survey. Additionally, 53.4% of its 3,781,387 residents live below the poverty threshold and 30.1% live in extreme poverty.
In contrast, the Philippine capital of Metro Manila had the lowest proportion of the poor. Only 6.5% of the population lived below the official poverty line.
The downward trend in the Philippines’ poverty rate has most experts hopeful that poverty will continue to fall. Some are quick to cite that despite the fall in numbers, there are still more than 26 million Filipinos who remain poor, with 12 million lacking the means to feed themselves.
However, most agree that addressing the basic roots of poverty also must address graver issues that stem from it. Drops in the Philippines’ overall poverty rate do not matter to those who see no way out in war-torn towns, says counterinsurgency expert Justin Richmond. “The widespread vulnerability that you see in every area dealing with radicalization is lack of economic opportunities,” Richmond says in an interview with Rappler, a Philippine news organization.
Richmond also maintains that only in improving the standard of living in underdeveloped areas can the government truly prevent a possible radicalization of citizens.
“It’s all based on vulnerability,” Richmond concludes.
– Bella Suansing
Photo: Flickr
Human Rights in the Syrian Arab Republic
The topic of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic is one of particular importance, especially since the eruption of the Syrian Civil War in 2011. Human Rights Watch blamed the violence on the lack of political settlement between the U.S. and Russia in 2016. According to the most recent numbers by the organization, I Am Syria, the death toll is at 470,000, including 848 in June 2017.
Systematic human rights abuses in the Syrian Arab Republic were carried out by organized groups such as the Islamic State and former Al-Qaeda member Jabhat al-Nusra. These violations include targeting civilians with artillery, kidnapping and executions. Non-state groups opposing the government have also carried out attacks on civilians, They have also used child soldiers, kidnapped individuals, blocked humanitarian aid and tortured others.
Because of the violence in Syria, many people have fled their homes. According to the UN, nearly 9 million Syrians are now considered to be refugees.
Fortunately, there are many organizations working on human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic. Two of these work on informing the public of the violence occurring in order to bring to light the issues at hand. They are I Am Syria and the Syrian Network for Human Rights.
I Am Syria is a nonprofit, media-based campaign that works towards educating the public on the conflict in Syria. It supports the end of the conflict and is nonpartisan. Its most widely known campaign is known as “The Green Hand.” As noted on its website, The Green Hand is “a symbol of revolution and solidarity for the Syrian people.” Additionally, I Am Syria has material for teachers to inform their students about the Syrian civil war.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights’ (or SNHR) motto is “No Justice without Accountability.” It believes that for human rights victims to receive justice, it is necessary to hold their perpetrators accountable for the crimes they commit. The only way to do that is to expose their crimes.
For this reason, it composes monthly and annual reports that bring attention to the most notable human rights violations in Syria. These reports are utilized by organizations such as the UN for its reports as well.
Both these organizations have brought attention to human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic. For them to be truly effective, the public must stay informed. Although this is a hard step to implement at a global level, I Am Syria and SNHR are working towards making that happen.
– Sydney Roeder
Photo: Flickr
STEM Programs in Kazakhstan Invest in Young Engineers
Robot battles, solar trackers and a laser that shoots for the moon — these are the inventions of western Kazakhstan’s youngest engineers. As part of their experience with the Zangar Initiative, which runs several STEM programs in Kazakhstan, these students combined the math and science they learn in school with the technological skills and hands-on experience that the initiative provides. The results seem almost like science fiction.
The results seem almost like science fiction. Although supported by Chevron and the International Youth Foundation, the community propels the initiative. The young people and their families chose the name “Zanger,” which is Kazakh for “mighty.”
The participating students are taught to use the engineering design process, a step-by-step guide for how to turn a brilliant idea into a concrete model. The process gives students a straightforward way to address a problem. They also learn skills like C programming and 3D design, which are not in the school curriculum, and have access to high-tech equipment.
The teens who participate in the STEM Capstone after-school clubs learn more than just technical skills. They often work in groups and learn both teamwork and stress management. One of the key tasks of a teammate, besides helping with design, is to steer his or her fellow engineers away from the temptation to give up should the early prototypes fail.
Perseverance is always rewarded. Many of these students go on to win regional and even national competitions. One student who created a laser designed to beam Helium-3, a potential clean energy source, from the moon to the earth, received a scholarship to the university of her choice in Kazakhstan.
The students of these STEM programs in Kazakhstan gain confidence in themselves and have high motivation to continue learning. Many of them gain the courage to become entrepreneurs. The program also opens their eyes to the needs of the community, inspiring service work and volunteering.
In December 2016, the city of Atyrau hosted its first STEM and English fair, featuring games and activities provided by the Zangar Initiative. Government officials hope that STEM programs in Kazakhstan will inspire a new generation of scientists and entrepreneurs, promoting economic and technological development within the country.
– Emilia Otte
The High Cost of Living in Denmark
Denmark is known for its high taxation and social spending as a significant portion of its budget, but it may be a lesser-known fact that the cost of living in Denmark is among the highest in the world.
As of 2017, the cost of living in Denmark was ranked sixth in terms of its consumer price index (including rent), which is currently at 65.83. The consumer price index is a calculation of the average prices of rent and consumer goods and services within the country. Though this number is high, it pales in comparison to the two other Nordic nations that are also listed as being in the top ten most expensive countries to live. Namely, Iceland, which was ranked third with a CPI index of 92.79, and Norway, ranked fourth with a CPI index of 76.70.
The reference point of these CPI calculations is the cost of living (including rent) in New York City, meaning that New York City is a baseline equal to 100. That said, this data reflects that the average cost of rent plus the average cost of living in Denmark is 34.17% less than the cost of living and rent in New York City.
The country also has a sales tax rate of 25% and Danish citizens, in almost all cases, pay more for consumer goods and services. For example, the price of a Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI hatchback in the U.S. is approximately $20,000. In Denmark, this price is about $45,747.33, and the cost of gas is about or $1.59 per liter, or $6.36 per gallon.
Among other comparisons to the U.S., the average price in Denmark for a pair of Levi 501 jeans is about $130, a basic dinner for two in a local pub or diner is about $64 and a 40” flat screen television costs about $603. Also, the median monthly rent for a furnished 480-square-foot studio apartment in an average neighborhood is about $917, in addition to an average of $190 in utilities per person.
Another unique aspect of the Danish economy is that although the average citizen makes about $43,000 per year, they devote between 35 to 45% of this to their income taxes, depending on whether they are married, have kids and a few other factors. For those making $67,000 or more per year, a total of 52% of their income will go to taxes, and the highest marginal tax rate for the wealthiest is currently 55.8%. However, these tax rates are comparatively lower than in the past. Data shows that in 1997, Danes paid a record high top marginal income tax of 65.9%, and the rate did not fall below 60% until 2009.
Nonetheless, as of August 2016, 60% of Danes said that they would oppose tax cuts, 15% said they were unsure and only 25% favored them. The reason for such a high level of support for high taxation is because most Danes view the taxes as an investment for a better society and an increased quality of life.
Since it is a focus of many Danish policymakers to take into consideration the quality of life and overall happiness for their citizens, they ensure that they have a highly funded welfare system. For this reason, it is not surprising that education is entirely free even at the university level and every Danish student gets $900 monthly from the government. This is not only beneficial for young people, but it also relieves parents from having to worry about how they will finance their children’s education.
Denmark also has one of the most generous parental leave policies worldwide, allowing parents up to a total of 32 weeks of funding from the state to tend to their newborns following birth, as well as free, safe and high-quality health care for all citizens.
The Danish labor market is also positively impacted by the welfare model. By practicing an extremely efficient active labor market policy that, among other things, provides job-searching assistance to the unemployed and makes efforts to keep the unemployed actively engaged in searching for a job. In addition to this, if a Danish citizen loses his job, he can receive unemployment insurance for up to four years.
Perhaps it is a combination of these things that has led Denmark to be ranked the happiest nation in the world for the third year in a row, according to the United Nation’s World Happiness report of 2016. The five countries that were ranked directly below Denmark were Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, Finland and Canada, which is notably significant as all of those countries also impose high taxation and have similar welfare programs in place.
While the cost of living in Denmark is high, and the country is certainly not a flawless, utopian society, it appears to value the well-being of its people over economic growth. Demark can, at a minimum, serve as a role model to the global community when it comes to improving the lives of its citizens.
– Hunter Mcferrin
Three of the Most Common Diseases in the Dominican Republic
With places like Punta Cana, it is no wonder that the Dominican Republic is a popular tourist destination. The Dominican Republic appears to have everything, from sandy beaches to high mountain peaks. The beautiful landscape of the Dominican Republic may set it apart from other countries, but like the rest of the world, it is not immune to medical issues. Here are three of the most common diseases in the Dominican Republic:
1. Schistosomiasis
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), schistosomiasis spreads through parasitic worms that are in infested water. People in poorer communities are more vulnerable to this disease because they are more likely to drink from or bathe in contaminated waters. Symptoms of intestinal schistosomiasis involve abdominal pain and diarrhea. The main symptom of urogenital schistosomiasis is blood in the urine. In the Dominican Republic, intestinal schistosomiasis is the most common form of the disease.
Fortunately, taking Praziquantel, an anti-parasite medication, for a few days can treat schistosomiasis. Since there is only a limited amount of the prescription drug available, the WHO has been advocating for more access to the medication. With increased Praziquantel availability, more people that have schistosomiasis are being treated.
2. HIV/AIDS
As the Caribbean country with the second most reported HIV cases, it is clear that HIV is a problem in the Dominican Republic. However, that doesn’t mean that the country’s health officials and government aren’t working on fixing it.
Out of all of the countries that comprise the Caribbean and Latin America, only eight have needle and syringe programs (NSPs), and the Dominican Republic is one of them. NSPs provide people who inject drugs with sterile needles and syringes. Since HIV can be transmitted through unsanitary needles and syringes, NSPs help reduce the risk of contracting HIV.
Although there is no cure for HIV/AIDS yet, there is a significant amount of research being done to find one. Recently, researchers successfully edited the genomes of infected mice, in which they eliminated most of the disease from the animals. Although genome editing is more complicated when humans are involved, there is still a possibility of it being successful.
In addition to NSPs reducing HIV/AIDS transmission and research being done to find a cure, there are also ways to control the disease. People with HIV can take antiretroviral therapy (ART) to slow down the progression of the disease.
3. Malaria
The Anopheles mosquito transmits malaria. Symptoms of the disease include chills and high fever. Malaria treatment is all about timing. If detected early, it can be treated with antimalarial medication. However, the disease can be fatal if it goes unnoticed and untreated.
In 2015 alone, malaria caused 438,000 deaths worldwide. While that number is very large, it is actually a decrease from the estimated 584,000 malaria deaths in 2013. In the Dominican Republic, indoor residual spraying (IRS) of insecticides is used to kill disease-spreading mosquitos, which helps prevent initial infection.
Although these three diseases are some of the most common diseases in the Dominican Republic, there are others. Many different organizations are working toward the mutual goal of eliminating both uncommon and common diseases in the Dominican Republic.
– Raven Rentas
Photo: Flickr
Addressing Water Quality in Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan is an agrarian country in Central Asia that, like other countries in the region, has been heavily dependent on water because of its arid desert climate, high temperatures and low precipitation. This former Soviet republic ranked as the ninth-most water-insecure country in the world and has been ravaged by decades of economic mismanagement during its previous occupation. Water quality in Turkmenistan is rife with problems.
In fact, most of the current ethnic and regional clashes in this central Asian region have centered on the limited water resources available. Water has become a valuable raw material, taking on both economic and social significance. It has effectively become synonymous with life.
The depletion of this precious natural resource as well as pollution of surface and groundwater has straitened the lives of local residents, especially since a whopping 95% of the available water resources are channeled towards agriculture.
The rapidly growing population of the country requires commensurate agricultural growth to survive. Agriculture necessitates further irrigation, which further strains the country’s limited water resources.
Turkmenistan water ministry research institute estimates that a third of all land is unusable for agricultural purposes due to heavy soil salinization, caused partly by a steadily deteriorating irrigation network. Mountain streams dissipate upon reaching the parched lands so the main water resources are the Amu Darya rising from the snow-capped mountains of Tajikistan and the Murgap originating from Afghanistan.
In June 2015, Turkmenistan suffered its hottest month in recorded history, with temperatures soaring as high as 47.2 degrees Celsius (116.96 Fahrenheit). Water shortage remains the main concern. Yet, just two years earlier, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov signed a decree on February 22, ordering the planting of three million trees in a “grand greening action” involving more than one-tenth of the country’s population. This is despite the fact that such projects would require significant water provisions, whether through irrigation canals, sprinkler systems or water trucks.
With the difficulties in water supply, water quality in Turkmenistan is being degraded. Difficulties with water conservation and pollution from sewage and drainage water are the main obstacles. A significant part of the polluted water is discharged directly to the deserts. Agricultural wastewater is directly fed to the Amu Darya river, which supplies the farmlands with even more salted water. In 1995, with aid from the United States, a water treatment plant was constructed near Dashhowuz to address the wastewater problems in northern Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan’s “compendium of man-made problems” includes the construction of a giant artificial lake, Altyn Asyr (Golden Age Lake), in the middle of nowhere. Environmentalists warn of an ecological disaster waiting to happen, arguing that water will evaporate en route to the desert and cannot be sufficiently replenished to keep the salt levels low. The whole scenario is reminiscent of what has been called “one of the planet’s worst environmental disasters” — the shrinking of the Aral Sea.
As competition for water rises due to climate change and rising populations, Turkmenistan needs to help reduce its water deficit by improving the technical state of its inefficient irrigation systems, minimize the rate of ecological hazards by reducing wasteful spending on grandiose projects, adopt automated water-saving technology and reuse treated drainage water for agricultural purposes.
Sadly, the country lacks the scientific, technological and financial means to undertake these critical steps. Addressing water quality in Turkmenistan will require the aid and support of the international community.
– Mohammed Khalid
Photo: Flickr
Child and Adolescent Mental Health in Sub-Saharan Africa
In sub-Saharan Africa — a poverty-dense region blighted by infectious disease — there is a relative lack of mental health services. This is partly because most healthcare resources are allocated to infectious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. Ninety percent of malaria deaths, 70 percent of HIV/AIDS cases and 26 percent of tuberculosis cases occur in sub-Saharan Africa. Against this background, mental health problems do not raise an immediate cause for concern; but, mental illness accounts for 10 percent of the disease burden. Child and adolescent mental health in sub-Saharan Africa rates are just as common; 14 percent have mental health problems and nearly 10 percent have diagnosable psychiatric disorders.
The most common mental disorders in the region are depression and anxiety. The prevalence rates of anxiety and Major Depressive Disorder ranges from 40 to 55 percent.
Poverty, warfare and disease identify as vulnerabilities and risk factors to child and adolescent mental health in sub-Saharan Africa. In one study conducted in southern Sudan, researchers found that 75 percent of children suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. A lack of evidence-based research on child and adolescent mental health in sub-Saharan Africa exists, but psychological distress and mood, conduct and anxiety disorders are common among children who have experienced armed conflict.
In 2011, an estimated 90 percent of children infected or directly affected by AIDS reside in sub-Saharan Africa. Rates of anxiety and depression are significantly higher in children orphaned by AIDS than in healthy children. One study found that 12 percent of children orphaned by AIDS in rural Uganda had suicidal ideations.
There are several challenges to providing quality mental health services in low and middle-income countries. Two of these include cost and the lack of research and needs based assessments. Of all medical conditions, mental disorders are some of the most expensive to treat. In most sub-Saharan African countries, mental health treatment facilities are limited in number and often inaccessible. But without assessments and research demonstrating the value of providing effective treatments and services in the region, improving mental healthcare and its availability to those who need it remains a relatively low priority.
In recent years, mental health has received increased attention and new efforts have developed to improve mental health research and care in the region. In 2011, an association of research institutions and health ministries in Uganda, Ethiopia, India, Nepal and South Africa partnered with Britain and the World Health Organization (WHO) to research the effect of community-based mental health treatment in low and middle-income nations and to develop mental health facilities and services in these areas.
Another effort is the Africa Focus on Intervention Research for Mental Health (AFFIRM), which is working with several sub-Saharan nations on infrastructure development and has conducted a number of randomized controlled trials envisioned to create interventions for severe mental disorders that are cost-effective and widely accessible.
This is only a small sample of the development efforts addressing mental health treatment and services in sub-Saharan Africa. Recognition of mental disorders significance in national health and more intervention research will go a long way toward bettering child and adolescent mental health in sub-Saharan Africa.
– Gabrielle Doran
Photo: Flickr
Why Is Kenya Poor? Looking at Poverty in Kenya
Why is Kenya poor? The short answer to this question is geographic luck. However, this is not a satisfactory answer when looking for a solution to poverty in Kenya.
Kenya has a population of 44 million, 42% of whom live below the poverty line. Certain qualities that those living in the United States consider basic, such as healthcare, education, clean water and sanitation, are luxuries for many living in Kenya.
On the positive side, however, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund consider Kenya on the right path to economic growth. This is due to investments in Kenya’s infrastructure, and the country’s role as a regional business hub. As of 2010, Kenya established a new Constitution specifically aimed at a long history of human rights violations. There were fairly peaceful governmental proceedings in the following years. However, there is still a long way to go.
Longstanding corruption within Kenya’s government such as bribery, fraud, and tribal favoritism is one of the leading causes of continuing poverty in Kenya, as problems such as these hinder attempts at reform and positive change. While reforms in the 2000s started to address these issues, it remains difficult for the average citizen of Kenya to pull him or herself out of poverty.
Why is Kenya poor? Another reason that Kenya is and remains poor is that about 75% of the population relies on agriculture to make a living. Yet Kenya’s erratic weather and arid climate make it a very unstable living to rely on. Jobs outside the agriculture industry are rare, and the education required for such jobs is even rarer, especially for poor families. The lack of economic diversity, opportunity, and education along with rapid population growth are crippling for the average citizen.
On the other hand, the flower industry in Kenya is flourishing especially with exports to European countries, along with coffee and tea farming. Another industry currently on the rise in Kenya is the tourism industry. The government recently introduced free and mandatory education which will lead to further development.
– Ellen Ray
Photo: Flickr
Reducing the Poverty Rate in Jamaica: Obstacles and Successes
The poverty rate in Jamaica is decreasing due to economic growth. The government wants this trend to continue. It is stated in the December 2016 National Poverty Eradication Programme (NPEP) that its vision for every Jamaican is to consume goods and services above minimum acceptable national standards. The government envisions a state where everyone has equal opportunities and support to achieve and maintain income security and improved quality of life.
As with any dream, there are several obstacles to attaining this vision. There are also successes that signal the vision is possible. Here are eight facts about efforts to further reduce the poverty rate in Jamaica.
There are several poverty reduction programs currently in place in Jamaica. Further reducing the poverty rate in Jamaica is feasible due to the government’s thorough NPEP. If the government reaches the goals outlined in the policy, poverty reduction will be systemic and all Jamaicans will be able to realize the dream of equitable opportunities. While there are significant challenges, Jamaica’s economic future is promising.
– Jeanine Thomas
Photo: Flickr
Exploring the Poverty Rate in Guatemala
The poverty rate in Guatemala is high by most standards. Guatemala is a country in Central America that is bordered by El Salvador, Honduras, Belize and Mexico. It is known for its massive Lake Atitlán and ancient Mayan ruins. It is home to 16.5 million, people making it the most populous country in Central America. Although Guatemala’s official language is Spanish, 40% of its inhabitants speak Indigenous languages.
The poverty rate in Guatemala is very high. According to the World Bank, 59.3% of the population lives below the poverty line. In addition, 23% live in extreme poverty.
The indigenous people in Guatemala are most affected by poverty. In fact, 79% of them live in poverty, while 40% of them live in extreme poverty. Eight in ten indigenous children suffer from chronic malnutrition, a condition that weakens their immune system and does not allow their bodies to fully develop.
The indigenous population also suffers from discrimination and exclusion in Guatemalan society, which makes it difficult for them to rise out of poverty. The country’s topography also keeps indigenous people living in rural areas isolated from the rest of society, making it more difficult for them to receive help.
Income inequality is high in Guatemala. According to a study conducted by the Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS), 260 Guatemalans own 56% of the national economy. This means that 0.001% of the population owns more than half of the country’s wealth.
Agriculture is a very important source of revenue for Guatemala. It accounts for 20% of the GDP and employs more than 40% of the population. Main food exports include sugar, bananas, coffee and vegetables. However, due to the country’s susceptibility to natural disasters, including hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and landslides, many citizens are in a constant struggle to survive and make a living.
Many NGOs stepped in to help improve the poverty rate in Guatemala. For example, The World Food Programme (WFP) delivers emergency food supplies to Guatemalans and teaches farmers how to grow more crops and better market the food they harvest. The NGO Food for The Poor brings food, medicine, and education supplies to needy communities in Guatemala.
– Anna Gargiulo