Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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Seed Ball Technology Reforestation in the Sahel is Restoring Land

Seed Ball TechnologyCommunities across the Sahel face desertification, declining soil fertility and disappearing livelihoods. Seed ball technology in the Sahel offers a low-cost, scalable solution that combines local knowledge with nature-based restoration. This method delivers native seeds embedded in clay and compost directly to degraded terrain, encouraging plant growth and supporting communities in rebuilding land and livelihoods.

How Seed Ball Technology in the Sahel Works

Seed ball technology involves encasing seeds in clay, compost and sometimes natural fertilizers. These balls protect seeds from pests, birds and harsh environmental conditions until they germinate. When scattered on land, seed balls absorb rainwater, enabling seeds to sprout without intensive farming or irrigation.

Locals mix native seeds, such as pearl millet or sorghum, with clay and compost to form seed balls. They scatter these balls across barren land during the rainy season. The seed ball protects seeds and retains moisture long enough for germination. Researchers in Senegal reported more than 95% emergence rates in on-station trials for pearl millet seed balls.

Supporting Smallholder Farmers and Boosting Yields

Development projects in the Niger Republic use seed ball technology to help subsistence farmers. Programs reduce crop failure risk by improving seedling survival with minimal seed use. Trials revealed that mineral-enhanced seed balls boosted root growth by 227%. It also increased shoot biomass, laying the foundation for improved panicle yield in staple crops.

Partnerships Driving Adoption and Scaling

Organizations such as farmer federations, like the Gaskiya Federation of Maradi Farmers Unions in the Niger Republic, help disseminate seed ball technology, supported by research teams funded by groups like the McKnight Foundation. The approach relies on simple local inputs, making it affordable and appropriate for remote areas.

The Great Green Wall initiative aims to restore millions of hectares across the Sahara-Sahel. While large-scale tree planting faces logistical hurdles, seed ball methods offer a complementary and rapid restoration option. The technology helps deliver vegetation in tough terrain and reinforce ecosystem resilience.

Empowering Youth and Community Engagement

In Ethiopia, social enterprises led by young innovators apply seed ball dispersal methods to restore degraded lands and promote sustainable agriculture. These efforts engage local communities, boost vegetation cover and create green livelihoods in arid zones.

Seeding Hope Across the Sahel

The success of seed ball technology in the Sahel is not only about germinating plants but about shifting what’s possible for communities living on the edge of the desert. Turning degraded land into productive fields helps farmers secure food, preserve biodiversity and reduce migration pressures.

Its simplicity allows it to spread quickly without heavy machinery or expensive inputs, making it a practical tool in the fight against desertification. Governments, NGOs and research teams are investing in scaling this approach. Seed balls could become a cornerstone for ecological resilience and economic stability across the Sahel’s most vulnerable regions.

– Hayden Chedid

Hayden is based in Parker, CO, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Education Programs Cuts Child Labor in Peru

Child Labor in PeruPeru has long grappled with child labor, especially in rural and indigenous communities where poverty is pervasive. Yet, recent educational investments, including bilingual schooling, conditional cash transfers and information-based programs, are helping reverse this troubling trend.

Persistent Poverty and Its Impact on Child Labor

Poverty remains a key driver of child labor in Peru. While the country has made significant progress in reducing poverty, dropping from 58.7% in 2004 to 20.5% in 2018, significant challenges remain. Millions were lifted out of poverty through economic growth and policy reform, yet recent setbacks highlight how fragile these gains are. In 2022, poverty rose amid the pandemic and the number of child laborers increased by roughly 210,000 compared to 2019, reaching 870,000 children and adolescents nationwide.

The issue has deep roots. In 2013, nearly 1.8 million children aged 5 to 17 were working, almost one in four nationwide. More than half of these working children in the 5–13 age bracket came from impoverished households, compared to just 27% of their nonworking peers. Child labor in Peru is concentrated in agriculture, fishing and mining, with rural children disproportionately affected. They are also far more likely to balance school with work than their urban counterparts (39.6% vs. 9.5%).

Bilingual Education’s Strong Effects

Peru’s bilingual education reform has had a notable impact on child labor, especially among indigenous children. A study using data from the Young Lives Study and a difference-in-difference analysis found that access to education delivered in indigenous languages reduced the likelihood of child labor by 12 to 18 percentage points for those children.

Conditional Cash Transfers Encourage Schooling

Peru’s conditional cash transfer program, JUNTOS, launched in 2005, provides families with regular financial support of about $30. The program requires children to attend school and receive basic health checkups. These transfers help alleviate the immediate economic pressures that push children into labor and support human capital development.

One evaluation found that such social protection mechanisms are among the most effective means to promote schooling and thus curb child labor over the long term.

Boosting Education Through Information Campaigns

The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with researchers from Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) and the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), piloted two low-cost interventions to inform families about the return to education. These included telenovela-style videos and an interactive tablet app used in schools.

The results were promising: the video series reduced two-year dropout rates by 1.8 percentage points (an 18.85% decrease) in urban areas and families updated long-term educational plans, becoming 10% more likely to aim for higher education. Effects on child labor were mixed: the video reduced child labor by 15% among urban girls, while the app reduced child labor by 7% among rural sixth graders.

Conclusion: Education as a Beacon of Hope

Peru’s concerted efforts, from bilingual schooling and cash transfers to informational campaigns, yield tangible progress in reducing child labor and expanding educational access. Especially in marginalized communities, these strategies are key to breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty. Sustained investment and scaling up successful interventions offer a powerful path forward toward safeguarding children’s rights and building a more equitable future.

– Alexander Broermann

Alexander is based in Frankfurt, Germany and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Inequality: Tax Justice in Kenya

Tax Justice in KenyaProtests in Kenya erupted due to widespread discontent over the government’s proposed 2024 finance bill. Economic and social challenges continued over the year, reigniting anti-government demonstrations in June 2025. Despite Kenya’s broadly positive economic outlook, a large part of the population experiences wealth inequality and a lack of access to social services.

Globally, wealthy individuals and corporations enable Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs), resulting in a loss of $1 trillion in 2022 alone. Advocate groups challenge this disparity as it largely contributes to poverty and degrades social welfare. Taxes proposed in the 2024 finance bill were seen as unfavorable to impoverished and middle-class people, possibly widening this gap further and proving the need for tax justice in Kenya.

United Nations’ Convention on International Tax Cooperation

Wealth disparities and illegal wealth extraction in the Global South often enrich Western corporations. The Tax Justice Network researches these illicit financial outflows, which hamper economic development. The organization has also lobbied for stronger global tax policies to promote social development and tax justice in vulnerable countries.

One of its major global concerns is the United Nations (U.N.) Convention on International Tax Cooperation, which seeks to close gaps in the international tax system and help countries recover stolen revenue. The Convention also aims to address tax abuses in cross-border systems and resolve international tax disputes equitably.

Kenyan delegates and other leaders of the African Group were the first to push for the U.N. Convention. The African Group’s concerns in advancing the Convention stem from the unequal distribution of wealth between developing and Western nations and corporate-driven wealth disparities within the Global South.

Social and Wealth Inequality

Oxfam asserts that the number of millionaires in Kenya will grow by more than 80% in the next 10 years. If current rates of inequality continue, it could result in millions of people living in extreme poverty in a similar time frame. Poverty rates in Kenya are higher in rural areas and areas of lower economic growth.

The World Bank Group highlights this uneven distribution as a vulnerability. Indeed, its reports suggest evaluating tax spending and fiscal policy to support poverty reduction. Accountability organizations like the National Taxpayers Association (NTA) in Kenya also work toward this goal.

The NTA supports local endeavors to rebalance social service provisions. The organization supports researching, monitoring and evaluating tax issues and development programs, as well as analyzing policy and legislation. Locally taking charge in the fight for tax justice in Kenya, the independent organization hopes for accountability from the government against economic inequality.

The Challenges Ahead

From 2025 to 2027, the U.N. Tax Convention negotiations will deliberate on multilateral platforms to address global wealth inequalities. Having only completed the organizational phase, member states need to continue talks and vote to pass issues before consideration from the U.N. General Assembly.

Analysts at the Tax Justice Network assert that lower-income countries can be negatively impacted through bilateral tax treaties if equitable terms are not met. The U.N. Convention is one attempt to avoid this, making global trade equitable and reversing many years of richer economies unilaterally dictating global economic agendas.

– Aliyah Omar

Aliyah is based in Alberta, Canada and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Health Care in Rural India

Health Care in Rural IndiaIndia is the most populous country in the world, home to some 1.4 billion people. It is a very diverse nation, both demographically and geographically. India is still a developing country; therefore it faces a lot of challenges in terms of healthcare. Health care in rural India, in particular, faces many challenges and obstacles. Access to quality health care is still an elusive goal for many Indians living in rural areas of the country.

Background

According to the country’s Ministry of Finance, approximately 65% of Indians live in rural areas. As with many other countries, India also faces a divide between urban and rural areas. People living in rural areas face significant obstacles that hinder their access to proper health care. Rural areas face a lack of qualified medical professionals, inadequate medical supplies and limited awareness regarding diseases. There is a need to improve health care access in rural India. Proper health care is a right that all humans have. Access to quality health care in rural India needs to be reformed and expanded.

The National Health Mission (NHM)

The Indian government has implemented measures to improve access to proper health care. In 2013, New Delhi launched the National Health Mission (NHM). The purpose of this mission is to improve health care access in rural and underserved areas. The NHM encompasses two sub-missions: the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM).

The mission aims to expand proper health care access to underserved areas in India. Additionally, the government has also launched a health insurance program (Ayushman Bharat) in 2018. This program provides free health care access to poorer Indians who cannot afford private health care services. Under Ayushman Bharat, the government established Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) throughout the country. These centers aim to bring health care access closer to the people.

First-Hand Problems

The Borgen Project spoke with Arjun Singh, an immigrant from India, on the topic of health care in rural India. Mr. Singh has witnessed first hand the problems that rural areas face in accessing health care. Mr. Singh grew up in a small village in northwestern India. Specifically, he grew up in Rajasthan, a large state situated in western India. Rajasthan is located in the desert. It is a mostly rural state.

Around 75% of people in Rajasthan live in rural areas. Mr. Singh states how difficult it was for him and his family to get access to proper health care. He states that village clinics have inadequate medical infrastructure and they’re routinely understaffed. There is a shortage of qualified medical personnel. One study stated that around 45% of personnel are absent from subcenters and aid posts.

However, Mr. Singh has clarified that things may be different now than they were during his time in India. In the decades since he left India, health care access in rural areas has improved. He stated how government initiatives such as the National Health Mission and Ayushman Bharat have made significant strides in improving rural access to proper and quality health care.

– Samriddha Aryal

Samriddha is based in Centreville, VA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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IRFF UK: Combating Period Poverty in Africa

Period Poverty in AfricaPeriod poverty is a global issue affecting an estimated 500 million people worldwide. It is defined as when girls and women do not have access to menstrual products, water and basic sanitation, or have not been educated on menstrual health and hygiene. When denied these necessities, they are more likely to miss school and work, trapping them in a vicious cycle of inequality and poverty.

However, many organizations are committed to ending this issue, such as International Relief Friendship Foundation (IRFF) U.K., a charity focused on combating period poverty in Africa.

Period Poverty in Africa

Although period poverty affects girls and women around the world, it is particularly prevalent in Africa. One in 10 African girls misses school due to their periods and 10% of families are unable to afford safe and hygienic menstrual products. However, affordability is not the only cause of period poverty.

According to the U.N. Women, stigma and the subsequent lack of education around menstrual health are also significant drivers of period poverty. This is not only because, in some countries, the stigma around periods is so severe that those who are menstruating are restricted from certain places and isolated. It is also because many girls are unprepared and uneducated about menstruation. For example, in Egypt, 66% of girls had not been informed of menstruation before they got their first period.

IRFF UK

IRFF U.K., a charity established in 1980 to provide “education, relief and improved health support to disadvantaged people,” is now more firmly focused on improving education and combating period poverty in Africa. The charity works by providing assistance and funding to programs already working in Africa to eradicate period poverty and improve access to education for its 1,600 beneficiaries.

Since IRFF U.K. shifted its focus to period poverty in 2023, it has started supporting and establishing projects in three African countries: Ghana, Uganda and South Africa.

  • Ghana. IRFF U.K. built upon previous programs and established the production and distribution of inexpensive reusable pads. It distributed these pads to 570 girls, which has been crucial in keeping them in school, as without them they were missing up to five days each month.
  • South Africa. IRFF U.K. has supported the Walmer Angels’ program in consistently distributing pads to 170 schoolgirls. This, combined with menstrual health and hygiene education, has been crucial in lifting them out of period poverty.
  • Uganda. IRFF U.K. has focused on period poverty and education by building Destiny School in 2009. IRFF U.K. then worked with the head teacher to identify 180 girls from Destiny School and a neighboring school who would benefit from regular pad distribution and menstrual health education provided by trained medical professionals.

Looking Forward

IRFF U.K. has developed a sustainable and effective model for combating period poverty in Africa, allowing more girls to stay in school, breaking the cycle of inequality and poverty.

– Victoria Adrados

Victoria is based in London and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Education Reform in China

Education Reform in ChinaWith a population of roughly 1.4 billion, China is the world’s second most populous country, just behind India. Boasting the oldest formal education system in the world, China’s approach to schooling is often regarded as unconventional by the rest of the world. It has frequently been criticized for its intensity and pressure on students, unequal access to opportunities, and heavy emphasis on rote memorization rather than deep understanding. These concerns have made education reform in China one of the nation’s pressing priorities.

The Current Education System

China’s current education system is split into four distinct sections. From ages 3 to 6, Chinese students attend preschool. Though not compulsory, enrollment rate in 2022 hovered at almost 90%. Education from grades one to nine is compulsory; in 2022, the completion rate of China’s nine-year compulsory education program was 95.5%.

Upper secondary education in China, though not mandatory, reached a gross enrollment rate of 91.6%. It further has two main tracks: regular senior high schools and vocational senior high schools. Regular senior high schools focus on preparing students to take the Gaokao, or China’s highly difficult university entrance exam.

In 2022, there were 15,000 regular senior high schools and around nine million new entrants. Vocational senior high schools, on the other hand, aim to prepare students for technical careers through vocational colleges. There were 7,201 vocational high schools in 2022, with around 4 million new entrants, the Ministry of Education reports.

In 2022, gross enrollment in higher education following senior high school hovered around 60%. This percentage includes both regular and vocational high schools. The students in regular senior high schools take the Gaokao, also known as the National College Entrance Examination, at the end of their final year to determine their eligibility for university.

Gaokao Models

Though models of the Gaokao differ from region to region, the test always consists of three required subject tests (Chinese, math and English) and three additional subject tests that students choose (in the more common three+one+two model, either a physics or history exam and an additional two subjects). In 2024, more than 13.4 million students registered for the exam.

The primary criticism of the Gaokao is the immense pressure it places on students. Because a singular exam effectively determines a student’s entire future and professional trajectory, many students devote nearly all of their time to preparing for the test. The test is often also faulted for its emphasis on rote learning and memorization rather than critical thinking and creativity, according to the Center for International Higher Education.

Additionally, the Gaokao is often the only pathway for students from underserved backgrounds to move up. However, students in urban areas with greater financial means are at a significant advantage. Families spend more than $120 billion annually on tutoring, preparation courses, and supplemental schooling. Without access to similarly costly support, many low-income students are at a disadvantage. As a result, the exam is often receives critics for reinforcing existing inequalities. Education reform in China have largely focused on the Gaokao.

Ongoing Reforms

Education reform in China has taken two main forms when it comes to the Gaokao. The first reform, implemented initially in 2014 but not quite covering the entirety of the nation, changes the required subjects to the current model (three required and three chosen), according to the Center for International Higher Education.

Under the previous model, students chose either the liberal arts track (politics, history, and geography) or the sciences track (physics, chemistry, and biology) in addition to the three required subjects. The reformed system requires that students still take the three required subject tests but allows students to choose any three additional subjects, offering them greater flexibility.

The second reform would enforce a new university admission framework, also known as “two bases + one reference,” according to the Center for International Higher Education. Under this system, the Gaokao will no longer be the only component in university admissions, though it will remain the primary factor. In addition to the Gaokao, university admissions will also look at proficiency subject exams taken by students throughout high school and a reference, which is an evaluation system that analyzes a high school student’s academic performance, physical and mental health, ethical behavior, and artistic ability.

Two-Phased Plan

In addition to Gaokao-specific changes, the State Council introduced a two-phased plan earlier this year for education reform in China. The new initiative emphasizes a more holistic approach to education that departs from traditional Gaokao exam preparation and ensures physical and aesthetic education. For one, the program would mandate that students receive at least two hours of physical activities per day. The plan would also limit off-campus academic tutoring and repetitive homework, allowing students to foster adaptability and creativity while decreasing educational inequalities.

By shifting focus away from the Gaokao and standardized testing while promoting other areas of growth, this new system would reduce stress on students, strengthen both mental and physical health, and cultivate essential creative and critical thinking.

Looking Ahead

Though this education reform in China would greatly improve the current Gaokao system, harsh exam culture remains deeply ingrained and continues to make the shift away challenging. Although gradual shifts are underway, it will take time for students, parents, and teachers to fully embrace a more holistic approach to learning. Until then, ongoing adjustments remain the best steps forward.

– Ariana Wang

Ariana is based in Dallas, TX, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Sudan Water Crisis and a Rapper’s Voice

Sudan Water CrisisSince April 15, 2023, an armed military conflict between Sudan’s two rival political-military forces, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has caused widespread infrastructure damage across the country. The conflict has particularly affected water systems, leaving many civilians reliant on unsafe surface water amid ongoing instability. Before the conflict, approximately 11 million people lacked access to basic water services and 26% of the water supply systems were not operational.

The limited water available to civilians is often surface water carrying diseases and bacteria, such as cholera, dysentery, typhoid and schistosomiasis. The use of bombs, rockets and other explosive weapons has damaged water treatment plants. It has affected both urban and rural areas, where populations of displaced individuals are extremely reliant on the few functional systems. An estimated 829,000 deaths per year are attributed to diarrheal diseases caused by unsafe water, poor sanitation and inadequate hygiene.

The Water Crisis in Sudan

Sudan is unable to meet the basic needs of its people. UNICEF has confirmed that more than 17.3 million civilians cannot access clean water. The ongoing conflict between SAF and RSF has devastated all aspects of life, including infrastructure, health care, education and displaced millions, reinforcing both nationwide and household poverty.

In larger cities such as Omdurman, Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan, key destinations for the displaced, most water treatment plants have been damaged or rendered completely unusable. As a result, more than 40% of rural households have no access to clean water. This scarcity has deepened food insecurity, as 60–80% of Sudan’s population depends on agriculture for income.

Since the conflict began in 2023, the water crisis in Sudan has undermined agricultural productivity and reinforced both national and household poverty. Many Sudanese now rely on humanitarian organizations’ emergency water trucking and purification kits. However, International aid has been limited, with some foreign governments, including the U.S. and European states, reducing their aid.

A Rapper’s Voice

On October 24, 2023, Sudanese-American musician Abbas Hamad (Bas) released his song “Khartoum.” He used his public media platform in the music industry to bring awareness to the conflict and its effects on civilians. Through emotional imagery, he sought to spark awareness and empathy among audiences who may not be aware of the ongoing devastation in Sudan.

Artists like Bas help close the awareness gap through cultural activism, reminding us that lasting solutions to global poverty must ensure access to clean water and peace.

UN’s Sustainable Development Goals at Risk

With 2030 approaching, achieving the U.N.’s poverty goals depends on policy and persistent attention, wherever it may come from. If countries like Sudan continue to lack access to safe and clean water, the world will struggle to meet the targets of reducing global poverty and ensuring basic services for all.

This challenge is especially critical under the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals: SDGs 1 (No Poverty) and 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). The shift from long-term development to emergency relief reinforces cycles of poverty. Without sustained investment in essential services like quality water, any effort to reduce global poverty is impossible.

Relief Efforts, Global Policy and Cultural Advocacy

The crisis highlights ongoing efforts to combat global poverty through immediate and long-term relief. Humanitarian organizations continue to provide emergency water, health services and food assistance in conflict zones. Similarly, global initiatives under the U.N. SDGs push for systemic change. At the same time, artists like Bas use their platforms to keep marginalized crises in the public eye.

These efforts reflect a diverse approach to addressing global poverty, combining funding, infrastructure, public awareness, cultural engagement and international cooperation.

– Zenub Khan

Zenub is based in Ontario, Canada and focuses on Global Health and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Increasing Access to Electricity in Ethiopia

Access to Electricity in EthiopiaThe continent of Africa has one of the lowest electricity access rates in the world, making life more difficult for millions of people. Africa is home to 19% of the world’s population, yet many—mostly in sub-Saharan Africa—are living without electricity. Those who do have access often rely on power sources that are unreliable and unsustainable. Electricity demand has continued to grow over time, especially in Ethiopia, but the World Bank has been making moves to change that.

The ELEAP Program

The Ethiopia Electrification Program (ELEAP) is under the leadership of the World Bank Group. Its main goal is to reach complete electrification in Ethiopia by the end of 2025 and to support the rollout of new electrification systems. The plan is to expand electricity through solar mini-grids, with some grid (65%) and some off-grid (35%) energy systems.

So far, the results have been positive. As of 2025, the program has made strong progress. From March 1, 2018, to June 4, 2024, 6.3 million people gained access to on-grid electricity sources. Solar energy is the most viable option for renewable energy and the most reliable source, as it has already been a major part of Ethiopia’s electrical landscape. The implementation of solar energy fits easily with the systems already in place, which allows them to work together effectively. Because of these systems, more than 19,000 public facilities have gained access to electricity, including health clinics and schools. Forecasts suggest that by 2026, 10 million more people in Ethiopia will have access to electricity.

The Burden of Limited Electricity Access

Ethiopia is one of the most populous countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with more than 100 million people. The country is experiencing rapid population growth, which has contributed to challenges such as food insecurity, environmental strain and low electricity access. Even though Ethiopia has substantial renewable energy resources, most of the population still relies on traditional biomass energy such as firewood and coal.

Even when households have access to power, financial constraints often prevent them from using it. Most electricity needs are for cooking, but the existing systems are not large-scale enough to provide the energy required for all Ethiopians to prepare their meals. As electricity reaches more areas, household chores have become easier since many families can now use electric stoves instead of fire-burning stoves, saving time and benefiting the environment. Solar-powered water pumps have also been introduced to provide clean water to rural communities. 

Before the introduction of new energy systems, women and children had to go outside and search for wood to use as fuel and poor households had to devote all their income to energy. With expanded access, energy is now reaching both large infrastructure projects and poor urban communities.

Looking Ahead

Access to electricity in Ethiopia has risen to 55.4% and continues to grow rapidly. ELEAP has made significant progress in electrifying the country within just a few years. The outlook for Ethiopia and ELEAP remains positive, with sustainable energy sources supporting growth and improving the lives of many.

– Bowie Aldrich

Bowie is based in North Syracuse, NY, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Political Turmoil Deepens Poverty in Thailand

Political Turmoil in ThailandThailand is facing one of its toughest years in recent memory, as political crisis and economic stagnation combine to hurt the most vulnerable. The dismissal of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in August 2025 has left the country in political limbo, disrupting budget plans and stalling welfare programs. As political turmoil deepens poverty in Thailand, low-income households are being forced to shoulder the brunt of rising costs, job insecurity and weakened safety nets.

Poverty on the Rise

The World Bank has cut Thailand’s 2025 growth forecast from 2.9% to just 1.8%, citing instability as a key reason behind slowing investment and policy delays. This translates into fewer jobs, weaker income growth and rising debt for poorer households. Thailand’s household debt already stands at nearly 91% of GDP, one of the highest rates in Asia, leaving families little room to absorb economic shocks.

Tourism, once a major employer of low-wage workers, has suffered repeated disruptions from political unrest. Manufacturing, another crucial source of jobs for people experiencing poverty, has also slowed as investors grow wary of instability and tariff disputes.

Informal workers who comprise more than half of Thailand’s labor force are especially vulnerable, as they lack access to unemployment benefits or other protections. As political turmoil deepens poverty in Thailand, many of these workers are forced to rely on debt to meet daily expenses.

Welfare and Budget Delays

The fallout from the political crisis is most visible in stalled welfare programs. The budget of more than $117 billion in 2026, which funds subsidies, social assistance and infrastructure projects, has been delayed by parliamentary gridlock. Without these funds, government schemes designed to ease living costs for low-income people, such as transport subsidies and cash transfers, are left in limbo.

This uncertainty is particularly damaging for Thailand’s rural and urban poor, who depend on these subsidies to cope with inflation and high debt. Political turmoil deepens poverty in Thailand, not only by driving up living costs but also by undermining the very policies meant to protect the vulnerable.

Relief Efforts Amid Crisis

While national politics stall, other actors have stepped in to provide support. The Bank of Thailand has cut interest rates to 1.50%, seeking to reduce debt burdens and encourage borrowing. However, economists warn that this measure alone is insufficient.

Civil society groups are playing a vital role in bridging the gap. Tearfund works with rural communities to improve incomes and build resilience. At the same time, CARE International focuses on food security and women’s livelihoods programs, which have become more urgent as families face mounting hardship.

In Bangkok, grassroots groups like the Bangkok Community Help Foundation run food banks and the “Center of Dreams” initiative. It offers education and skills training to children from low-income families. These efforts ensure that vulnerable communities still receive some support even when the state falters.

Housing insecurity has also been partially addressed through the Baan Mankong program, run by Thailand’s Community Organizations Development Institute (CODI). The initiative helps low-income families improve housing and living conditions through collective financing. While not a cure-all, such community-led projects provide stability in uncertain times.

Conclusion

Thailand’s ongoing crisis shows how deeply politics and poverty are intertwined. The removal of a prime minister, the delay of a national budget and the weakening of investor confidence may sound like abstract political issues. However, they carry direct consequences for ordinary people.

As political turmoil deepens poverty in Thailand, the needy face higher prices, rising debt and fewer opportunities. Relief efforts by NGOs, local organizations and some government institutions are helping to soften the blow.

Yet these measures remain small compared to the scale of the problem. Until political stability is restored, Thailand’s most impoverished citizens will remain caught in a cycle of uncertainty, bearing the heaviest burden of a crisis far beyond their control.

– Charlie Wood

Charlie is based in West Yorkshire, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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ISAS in Turkey

isas turkeyTurkey is a nation that has been attempting to build itself back up after years of turmoil and conflict, and when a country is trying to rebuild from attacks on its economy and infrastructure, those in poverty are at the forefront of that battle. Inflation has been plaguing Turkey for years, to the point where the inflation rate reached a high of 13.6% in 2024. This has a direct impact on the country’s poverty rate; nuclear families suffer from a 13.4% poverty rate as of 2024, while households where the owner is single only have a 6.5% poverty rate. This is a rare case of improvement, as the rate for this was 0.8 percentage points higher in 2023.

Such poverty rates also affect education, with 24.7% of people in the country who do not have any sort of university degree living in poverty, and 13.6% of people who do not have a high school diploma. It is a downward spiral; those in poverty typically lack education, which in turn prevents those same people from obtaining jobs and opportunities that would allow them to rise out of poverty and rebuild their lives.

The Integrated Social Assistance System

Fortunately for those in poverty, the government in Turkey established systems to try and help them receive the help that they need. The chief program among the others is the Integrated Social Assistance System (ISAS), which provides a flush of resources to those who apply for it.

Established in 2010, the main purpose of the program is to help citizens of Turkey register for social programs and other assistance programs. When someone registers for the Integrated Social Assistance System, the government databases collect their data to determine their eligibility for programs. Since 2010, more than 30 million citizens have been able to secure applications for various programs.

The ISAS and the resources that come with it are both very easy to use and widely helpful in getting those in poverty access to programs that can help them get back on their feet.

Local Communities

The Borgen Project spoke with a pastor of a local community church who wishes to remain anonymous. The church assists those who are on the Integrated Social Assistance system by distributing packages to them and assisting in the rent payments, alongside helping people sign up for the program.

The pastor spoke about “Since ISAS was introduced in Turkey, we have helped parishioners navigate the application process. Many older people or refugees don’t always know how to deal with digital platforms or the paperwork.”  When interviewed about the effectiveness of the ISAS, the pastor explained, “In some ways, it has helped. Before, assistance was fragmented. Now everything is coordinated, and some families receive help more quickly. But the needs keep growing. The underlying issues like unemployment and low wages, are not going away. Sometimes, despite the social assistance, people do not have enough.” There is always something that can be done to improve the lives of those in poverty every single day.

The Process

An inspection officer checks applicants’ residences to verify and assess the applicants’ status. Should someone pass the assessments, they will receive either a social assistance card, direct cash sent to the residence, or a transfer to the beneficiary’s bank account, depending on which option the person chooses. The holders of a social assistant card can use it to make purchases directly, as the cards are prepaid. Only those who are living in poverty can pass the inspections and use these resources, and they are very popular. More than 2 million people in Turkey have a social assistance card.

The Borgen Project spoke with a single mother living in Turkey, benefitting from the ISAS and its resources, who wishes to remain anonymous. When asked about her experience with the program, she said, “I lost my job during the pandemic, and my husband left a year later. With two children, it was terrifying. I have no family support, so I applied for social assistance through the ISAS portal. It was confusing at first but eventually, a social worker helped me. I now receive regular support for food and heating, which is a lifesaver.”

And talking about what would help her the most going forward, her reply was “More job opportunities—especially flexible ones for mothers. Childcare support, too. Social assistance is essential, but I want to stand on my own feet and provide for my children.”

The Future

With ISAS and other programs in place, those in Turkey who are living in poverty have a chance to get the resources and aid they need so they can make it through each day and eventually rise out of poverty for good.

The Borgen Project spoke with a local high school teacher in Turkey about the effects of the ISAS on those who need it most: the children in poverty. She explained, “Yes, students whose families get regular support from the program tend to perform better in the classroom. But the stigma around government handouts still exists; some children feel embarrassed to admit their families need help, and it can affect their self-esteem around their peers. But when families know they can rely on support, even if it’s small, children can focus on learning. Expanding school-based aid and after-school programs would make a huge difference.” If they receive proper help, then the lives of people living in Turkey, young and old, will be able to flourish.

– John Menechino

John is based in Marietta, GA, USA and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr