Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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Between Borders: The Calais Refugee Camps

Calais Refugee CampsThe French refugee crisis erupted over a decade ago. However, the reality is that France, and Calais especially, is still receiving hundreds of refugee arrivals, and these asylum seekers are still in need of help. There have been people living in or around the outskirts of Calais since the 1990s, the number of whom caused the Red Cross to open the first official welcome center in a neighboring town in 1999. Despite its closure after three years, informal settlements never went away.

These makeshift Calais refugee camps became known as the Jungle, which was formed by hundreds of discarded tents and shelters to accommodate displaced victims of conflict and poverty. This too was evacuated by the French authorities in 2009. When the refugee crisis intensified in 2015, another Jungle emerged, and by the end of the year, there were approximately 4,500 refugees living in Calais. Currently, this figure stands at an estimated 1o,000. The situation is improving, but the work is not yet done.

A Short History of the Jungle

The Calais refugee camps have a turbulent history, being flooded with arrivals, then being bulldozed and evacuated, before re-emerging. Starting as a government-controlled space, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and charities became increasingly involved, such as Refugee Rights. The NGO Help Refugees conducted a census in February 2016, which found that the Calais refugee camps were home to 5,497 residents, including 651 children, more than 400 of whom were unaccompanied. By November of the same year, violence had broken out within the camps as refugees began to be evicted.

In October 2018, two years after the demolition of the Jungle, Refugee Rights returned to Calais to examine the condition and status quo of the refugees, finding that mental health had declined and the atmosphere was one of exhaustion, despite the sustained efforts of volunteers.

There have been studies and reports, such as a 2018 Cambridge Review of International Affairs study, investigating the balance of governmental and charity-based involvement in handling the ongoing refugee crisis. Such reports ask whether the government should be doing more, such as taking on sole responsibility for search and rescue (SAR) operations. Data and field research from organizations like Refugee Rights demonstrate that something needs to change.

An Inside Perspective

This cycle has replayed multiple times over the last 10 years in the camps of Calais. To better understand how this repetition can be ended and the status quo for refugees can be altered, The Borgen Project interviewed an individual who worked at the Calais refugee camps from 2023 to 2024.

The Borgen Project’s source, who wishes to remain anonymous for professional reasons, worked both in the Calais refugee camps and in the U.K. with an involved charity. For the purposes of anonymity, this individual is referred to as W.

W described the atmosphere of the camps: “The sense of desperation is palpable and grew with the increasing hostility of the political environment even in the short time I spent there. During my stay in the winter, the weather conditions were brutal, promising frostbite, trench foot and many sleepless nights in the freezing cold.” W added that during the time spent volunteering in Calais, five people lost their lives at the border.

However, W continued: “In stark contrast to all the misery in Calais is so much hope and here, hope is more than just a feeling, it is a survival skill. I was struck repeatedly by the resilience and positivity of the communities I met and even on the worst days, there were beautiful moments. A South Sudanese dance party. An Arabic lesson in exchange for an English one. The offer of breakfast around a camping stove.”

There is often a focus on the desperation of refugee situations, but less so on hope and joy. Having an insight into the glimpses of community and happiness is not a reduction of the struggle of displacement, but evidence of the effect charitable aid can have on people’s lives, be that food, shelter, legal advice or companionship. This is exactly the work Red Cross provides to the Calais camps, with a project that functions across three main services: supporting unaccompanied children, providing health care and reuniting families.

The Language of Asylum

Language has become a weighted topic in today’s climate, with extensive debates over connotations, etymology and underlying meanings. The language surrounding refugees and the Calais refugee camps has been scrutinized over time. When asked about the term “Jungle,” W stated: “The term ‘Jungle’ was used by its inhabitants, voluntary workers and media alike, but during my time there, very few people used the term.” W added: “Although we now refer to them as ‘camps,’ there are no official camps in Calais or Dunkirk, only unauthorized, illegal settlements.”

As recently as 2020, videos and photos have been released of capsized boats carrying refugees to Europe’s shores, prompting dismissive responses from some audiences. Despite language becoming more carefully considered in public discourse, there is still a pervasive sense of indignation toward refugees seeking shelter and protection from conflict in their home countries.

Female Refugees in Calais

In 2019, the number of displaced people worldwide was estimated at 79.5 million, and in the same year, the number of refugees in the EU was 6,570,500. Almost 50% of them were women. Rates of underage or forced marriage and sex trafficking rise in times of conflict and poverty, making women one of the most vulnerable demographics. This is supported by U.N. Security Council Resolution 1325, which recognizes that girls and women are disproportionately affected by armed conflicts. According to U.N. data, at least one in five female refugees or displaced women has experienced sexual violence. A World Health Organization (WHO) report acknowledges the same, but does not account for undocumented immigrants, thus underestimating the magnitude of the issue.

When asked about women’s experience, W answered: “There are relatively few female refugees in Calais. The vast majority were men and many were unaccompanied minors aged 13-17, often risking their lives on the dangerous journeys in hopes of providing their families with a safer route. For example, Libya is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for sex trafficking, so for refugees coming to Europe from countries like Sudan and Eritrea, it is rare for men to bring their wives and children with them. Nonetheless, there is a small presence of women and children.”

The gender imbalance in Calais demonstrates the persistent demand for more representation and female-directed aid in these situations.

A Look Toward the Future

The Calais refugee camps are not a thing of the past, and though media representation may have dwindled, charitable aid persists. Care4Calais works both in the camps and in the U.K. to offer field support and organize food, clothing and supply packages to refugees, visiting sites twice a week to deliver direct aid, charge phones and bring hot tea, food and firewood, as well as engaging in social activities with them.

According to W, companionship plays an important role in supporting the refugees in Calais. W shared that communication often happened without words due to language barriers: “One day, I played Connect 4 with a Sudanese man for hours. We didn’t exchange more than a handful of words, but it was nonetheless a mutually meaningful experience.”

Another NGO, Safe Passage, has been present in Calais since 2016, providing legal aid to help ensure stable futures for refugees. Since its establishment, Safe Passage has protected 3,500 children and reconnected them with their families, granted 260 visas, overturned five anti-refugee policies and trained more than 260 individuals to continue legal advising for future refugees.

With the dedication and support of NGOs in collaboration with governments, places like the Calais refugee camps can become better-supported spaces for displaced people. Organizations such as Red Cross, Care4Calais and Safe Passage continue to demonstrate that sustained charitable and legal support makes a measurable difference in the lives of those who have fled conflict and poverty.

– Jaya Noonan

Jaya Noonan is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Poverty and Health in Sierra Leone Following the Civil War

Poverty and Health in sierra leoneIn January 2002, the 11-year civil war of Sierra Leone came to an end, leaving behind one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes the country had seen since gaining its independence in 1961. Up to 4.5 million people faced displacement and 100,000 people had been mutilated by rebel forces.

The country’s economy was left in pieces, and its people carried the weight of psychological and physical trauma. Despite this, in the face of adversity following the civil war, the people of Sierra Leone have continued to show a desire to overcome the struggles they encountered. As January 2026 marks 24 years since the end of the civil war, this article reflects on poverty and health in Sierra Leone and how the country has progressed.

The Immediate Response

Following the end of the civil war, the international response was swift and targeted. Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) such as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which had been active within conflict zones in Sierra Leone from 1995, provided the country with significant support, including malaria vaccination campaigns and medical care in a country that no longer had the infrastructure required to support its population’s health.

In 2004, MSF reduced its presence in Sierra Leone, stating that although many people still lived in poverty, the country was no longer undergoing a humanitarian crisis.

With that departure, the Ministry of Health in Sierra Leone took on responsibility for basic health care and hospital programs, and the country began rebuilding through different initiatives. Although Sierra Leone ranked as one of the poorest countries in the world, the health sector introduced schemes such as the cost recovery scheme in 2006 and the Free Health Care Initiative (FHCI) in 2010, and the sector began to see economic recovery.

The road to escaping poverty and rebuilding health care in Sierra Leone was not without turbulence. In 2014, the Ebola epidemic created further setbacks in the landscape of poverty and health in the country.

Solving the Poverty Paradox

The economic recovery of Sierra Leone following the civil war required both the help of NGOs and a population willing to put in the work, in part to avoid creating an overdependence on aid. While NGO activity started as wholly philanthropic, it eventually helped inspire the country’s population to cultivate its own agriculture and economy.

A prime example of a collaboration between NGOs and the Sierra Leonean population was the Kalangba-based Sierra Leone Children’s Fund. The fund allowed community farms to be created, providing jobs for people living in the area and increasing local trading.

Initiatives such as these allowed the country to develop its own economic landscape and provided a level of development that deploying aid alone could not achieve.

Public Resilience

For many of the population, health and poverty in Sierra Leone have always existed alongside struggle. That struggle, however, has also created a desire to foster independence.

In an interview with The Borgen Project, a Civil Affairs Officer who worked with the United Nations in Sierra Leone in the years following the civil war said that the people of Sierra Leone have “shaken off the desperation to be helped” when asked about whether international organizations’ involvement in the country’s rehabilitation has created dependency.

Looking Ahead

Poverty and health in Sierra Leone still have a long way to go in terms of promoting health care and reducing poverty following the civil war. The country is still rebuilding its economy. Despite this, in many ways, the country is adapting to its own economic conditions. In 2025, the World Bank Group reported that in the face of global insecurity, Sierra Leone’s economy had remained stable.

Health care in Sierra Leone also continues to grow, with the introduction of new facilities across the country.

These new implementations and improvements reflect the resilience of Sierra Leoneans following the civil war, who, in the face of adversity, have remained committed to rebuilding their country.

– Bernice Attawia

Bernice is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Food Systems in Northern Ireland Are Growing Stronger

Food Systems in Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland is a region of the United Kingdom (U.K.) made up of six counties on the northeast side of the island of Ireland. The Government of Ireland Act separated Northern Ireland from the independent Republic of Ireland in 1921. In more recent history, the region has struggled with issues of food insecurity. In 2010, an estimated 28% of Northern Irish adults and 23% of their children were experiencing food poverty. However, the situation has drastically improved, with only 9% of households in Northern Ireland reporting food insecurity concerns as of 2025. Here are some factors that have helped improve food systems in Northern Ireland in recent years:

1. Brexit 

In January 2020, the United Kingdom withdrew its membership from the European Union. The U.K. signed the Brexit referendum four years prior, in 2016. Brexit has caused a variety of financial effects, some positive and some negative. It has also enabled the U.K. to create more tailored legislation targeting the roots of food insecurity across the country.

The U.K. Department for Environment, Food & Rural affairs released a statement in July 2025 detailing plans for new food systems legislation to combat hunger and malnourishment specifically affecting children and rural populations. This food strategy aims to create a “good food cycle” by uplifting British farmers, improving agrifood trade relations with the European Union and combat biodiversity loss to allow for more balanced diets. After separating from the EU, the U.K. has shifted its focus to reprioritize food systems at a nationwide level that support its citizens financially and physically.

2. Increased Community Involvement

The Food, Farming & Countryside Commission (FFCC) has directed its attention to amplifying the voices of community members and local farmers in order to strengthen food systems in Northern Ireland. The FFCC has been operating as an independent commission since 2017. In the last two years, it has succeeded in bridging communication between the U.K.’s citizens and government through initiatives such as The Food Conversation and reports including “The False Economy of Big Food” and “Paying the Price.” The action items the FFCC is currently prioritizing include: 

  • Increasing trust between the FFCC, Northern Irish Farmers and Northern Irish people by assembling meetings across various sectors of government and community leadership.
  • Fostering relationships and networks of support between farmers across the region. This includes educational opportunities to increase Northern Ireland’s agricultural production.
  • Bringing citizens and government leaders together for important discussions on what the people want and need from their food systems.
  • Establishing and implementing a common Land Use Framework across Northern Ireland’s estimated 25,000 farms.

3. Technological Innovation 

Improving technologies in the agriculture and supply chain sectors have a high potential to continue improving the efficacy of food systems in Northern Ireland and globally. One example of a recent promising innovation for Northern Irish food security is the Food Co-Centre Conceptual Framework which Oxford University researchers developed at their Environmental Change Institute. The Institute launched this framework in 2025 and aims to deliver “environmental, economic and social stability by 2050” through tracking all stages of food production and distribution in Northern Ireland and optimizing the process by metrics of sustainability and affordability. 

Dr. Alice Gilmour is the lead author of the study responsible for designing the Food Co-Centre Conceptual Framework. When asked about what the framework will help to accomplish, she stated: 

“This framework will help policymakers and food systems stakeholders avoid a siloed approach as it provides the wider context of the entire food system. It brings together insights from industry, NGOs, government, and academia to guide smarter, more sustainable decisions.” This new technology is capable of identifying gaps in the food systems of Northern Ireland and the U.K. more broadly and problem-solving outside of the often “siloed” thinking of regulatory bodies. With this information, the Food Co-Centre Conceptual Framework will suggest more informed and optimally beneficial solutions for governmental, industry and research approaches to how the U.K. grows and distributes its food.

Looking Ahead

Food insecurity and malnutrition rates in Northern Ireland have improved by 14% for children and 19% for adult populations in the past decade. These positive margins come as a direct result of increased community involvement, implementation of new technologies and reformed socioeconomic policies that better reflect the U.K.’s specific interests. Initiatives like the ones highlighted in this article project to minimize and hope to eradicate food insecurity and strengthen food systems in Northern Ireland and across the U.K. within the next two decades.

– Natalie Naylor

Natalie is based in New York, NY, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Cargo Containers as Affordable Housing for Nigerians

Cargo Containers as Affordable HousingNigeria is currently facing an immense housing crisis. First, there is a fundamental shortage of homes to meet the needs of its rapidly growing population. According to the 2025 Nigeria Housing Report published by the Sixteenth Council, the country faces a housing deficit of more than 17 million units. With one of the highest fertility rates in Africa, around 4.4 births per woman, Nigeria’s demand for housing continues to rise sharply, placing increasing pressure on already limited supply.

Second, beyond the material shortage itself, many existing homes are deemed structurally inadequate. A significant number of homes are built in unsafe conditions, such as on weak stilts over water or lack access to basic services like proper sanitation and electricity. In response to these challenges, an innovative solution has begun to gain attention: “cargotecture.” Derived from the original word architecture, this emerging approach involves repurposing cargo containers as affordable housing units. 

The Advantages of Container Homes

One key reason shipping containers have become increasingly important as land-based structures is their durability. Companies such as Karmod Nigeria, which operates in more than 25 states, note that these structures are engineered for long-term use. Built primarily from steel, they offer strong structural integrity and present a practical option for affordable housing in low-income communities. 

Steel is highly durable and resistant to harsh environmental conditions, reducing the need for frequent repairs and lowering long-term maintenance costs. This makes container-based housing a cost-effective solution in different climates and seasons. Beyond everyday environmental conditions, steel containers also perform well under extreme stresses, including earthquakes. 

Originally built to endure long journeys across rough oceans, these containers are designed for strength and resilience. Their robust structure makes them a reliable option in areas with recorded seismic activity, such as Nigeria, which has experienced earthquakes as high as magnitude 4.9. Another material advantage lies in cargo container flooring. Since the base structure is already reinforced, it requires little additional support. 

Floors can be finished quickly with lightweight, cost-effective materials such as bamboo, timber and polyvinyl chloride tiles, which are often cheaper than hardwood used in traditional homes. This helps reduce overall construction costs, making housing more accessible and practical for low-income communities. Fire resistance is another notable benefit of cargo containers. 

In a country like Nigeria, where temperatures remain consistently high, the risk of fire can increase. A 1977 U.S. Coast Guard study found that fires in containers caused minimal structural damage and were unlikely to spread to nearby units. This shows that steel shipping containers are largely non-combustible, offering a safer and more reliable housing option for people who might otherwise live in low-cost areas with higher fire risks. 

Closing Remarks

Ultimately, container homes have evolved from export transport units into lightweight, quickly assembled housing solutions for Nigerians who may not have the means to buy fully furnished luxury homes. Known for their durability, these pre-built structures offer a practical response to the country’s housing crisis. Their growing appeal is also reflected in the expanding global market.

Reports show the container homes market generated $44.76 billion in 2017 and was projected to reach $73.07 billion by 2025, highlighting the real potential of cargo containers as affordable housing.

– Sophia Lupo

Sophia is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Poverty Reduction in China and Beyond

Poverty Reduction in ChinaOver the past four decades, global poverty has reduced significantly and one country has played a central role: China. Through quick economic growth, large scale development programs and targeted policy interventions, China has not only lifted hundreds of its own citizens out of poverty but also contributed meaningfully to poverty reduction worldwide. China’s achievement of eliminating extreme poverty by 2020 valuably met the United Nations’ 2030 ‘No Poverty’ target a decade early, signifying an historic milestone.

Domestic Poverty Reduction Success in China

China’s poverty reduction is generally regarded as the largest in human history. According to the World Bank, the country lifted more than 800 million people out of poverty over several decades, largely driven by economic growth and structural reforms. From 1978 to 2020, China reduced its rural poverty rate from 97.5% to nearly zero, successfully declaring the eradication of extreme nationwide rural poverty.

This success had several key strategies:

  • Targeted poverty alleviation, which identified and supported specific households.
  • Investment in healthcare and education, improving long-term living standards
  • Infrastructure development, mainly in rural areas.

By 2020, China had completed a major national campaign to lift tens of millions out of poverty within only five years.

Meeting the UN 2030 Target Early

The U.N.’s first Sustainable Development Goal aims to end extreme poverty globally by 2030. China reached this benchmark around 2020, making it the first country to do so at such a scale.

U.N. officials have applauded China’s progress, noting that it demonstrates the ‘No Poverty’ goal is achievable, even in a country with a population exceeding 1 billion.

Because China accounted for a large population of the world’s poor population in earlier decades, its success crucially accelerated global poverty reduction overall.

China’s Contribution to Global Poverty Reduction

Beyond its domestic achievements, China has increasingly contributed to global poverty reduction. Through trade, investment and infrastructure development, China has supported growth in many developing economies.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been a notably successful example of China’s global poverty reduction. The BRI is a massive global infrastructure development strategy led by China aiming to connect other regions to China to enhance regional trade and economic integration. Research shows that Chinese-funded projects have helped reduce global poverty by creating jobs, improving connectivity and lowering trade costs. A 2023 study found that the BRI investments are associated with measurable declines in poverty levels in participating countries, especially lower income regions.

Similarly, cross-country analysis reveals that countries that are a part of the BRI tend to experience long-term reductions in poverty, largely due to infrastructure improvements and increased economic activity.

In locations such as Africa, Chinese investment in transport and energy has supported broader economic growth by improving access to markets and enabling industrial growth. While the impact varies depending on local conditions, evidence suggests that China’s growing role in global development has become a principal contributor to poverty reduction in many developing economies.

Other initiatives, such as infrastructure investment in South-South cooperation, have helped improve industrial capacity and employment opportunities in partner countries. China has also provided financial assistance and debt relief measures for developing nations during times of crisis.

Regions That Have Benefited Most

Sub-Saharan Africa has remained home to a large share of the world’s poor, and China has become a significant development partner in the region. According to the World Economic Forum, “China has become sub-Saharan Africa’s largest bilateral trading partner.”

Countries in Southeast Asia have benefited from increased trade and manufacturing investment linked to China’s economic expansion.

Chinese investments in Latin America’s natural resources have expanded its economic opportunities and strengthened trade ties across the region.

Lessons for Other Countries

China’s experience offers important lessons for global poverty reduction to countries striving to meet the U.N.’s goals:

  • Targeted interventions are effective: identifying and assisting specific poverty-stricken populations ensures resources reach those most in need.
  • Economic growth is important: this enables large-scale poverty reduction.
  • Infrastructure development creates opportunity.
  • Continuous commitment and long-term planning lead to successful global poverty reduction.

China’s success in eliminating extreme poverty ahead of the UN’s 2030 target proves a landmark achievement. By combining strong economic growth with targeted policies, it has transformed the lives of millions and reshaped global poverty trends.

– Leah Denning

Leah is based in Bristol, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Renewable Energy in Grenada

Renewable Energy in GrenadaGrenada, like many other island nations in the Caribbean, faces a critical challenge: breaking its dependence on expensive, imported fossil fuels. Currently, a staggering 93% of Grenada’s energy supply relies on imported oil products. This costs that country an average of 105 million East Caribbean Dollars (ECD), draining resources that the country could better allocate locally and making the nation particularly vulnerable to global price shocks and supply disruptions. Additionally, imported oil’s monopoly on Grenada’s energy sector causes widespread energy poverty, which is the lack of energy needed to provide basic services, such as heating, cooling and cooking.

Yet, the Spice Island is planning an ambitious new course. According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Grenada has pledged a 40% reduction in its 2010 emissions by 2030, with the ultimate goal of using 100% renewable energy in its transport and electricity sectors. Additionally, new renewable energy initiatives can combat energy poverty by allowing families to own solar panels and generate their own electricity off the national grid. This would lower household costs, keep money in the Grenadian economy, and improve the quality of life for many impoverished Grenadians.

Challenges

Issues riddle Grenada’s path forward. Grenada’s electrical grid currently relies on diesel generators, for which cooling alone accounts for one-third of the nation’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, poverty remains high, with 25% of Grenadians living below the poverty line. Additionally, while there has been progress to expand the renewable energy sectors, a vast majority of Grenada’s renewable energy output comes from small-scale projects rather than large-scale government investment.

Progress on the Ground

Despite these obstacles, renewable energy in Grenada has continued to expand. In November 2024, Grenada launched a tender for a major solar project at Maurice Bichop International Airport, and while a company has not won the tender, the project continues to develop, with officials choosing the sites for the solar panels. The winning developer will secure a 25-year power purchase agreement with the state utility, Grenlec, and planners expect the project to meet 40% of Grenada’s energy grid needs.

Grenlec has also announced that the construction of a new substation and upgraded grid infrastructure is underway on the island. Improving the efficiency of the grid and lessening overall waste. This project will also create a resilient microgrid at the airport, allowing for reliable power during prolonged grid outages.

International support also provides optimism for the Island’s future development. In December 2024, the United Kingdom pledged 10 million British pounds to support geothermal energy development in Grenada, aiming to reduce its former colonies’ reliance on expensive imported fossil fuels. Additional United Nations programs like the Building Effective Resilience for Human Security in the Caribbean Countries and the Harnessing Blue Economy Finance for SIDS Recovery and Sustainable Development initiatives work to develop the renewable energy grids of the region and help the impoverished in Grenada.

Tourism

Tourism remains both Grenada’s largest industry and a major contributor to overall emissions, but the sector is beginning to adopt new, climate-friendly policies. A pilot project at the True Blue Bay Resort has demonstrated that replacing conventional air-conditioning units with R290 units, which are both propane-fueled and very efficient, achieved an energy consumption reduction of around 26%. For a nation with a large number of hotels, in which cooling can account for a majority of its energy demand, improvements in cooling efficiency can reduce annual electricity consumption by hundreds of thousands of ECD.

Impacts on Poverty

The transition to renewable energy in Grenada carries large implications for poverty reduction, as about 25% of the population lives below the poverty line, and the unemployment rate stood at 11.1% in 2023.

Currently, high electricity costs burden low-income households, forcing many to spend large portions of their income on energy. Lowering these costs through renewable sources would free up household income for food, education, healthcare and many other expenses. To combat this, Grenada plans to launch its “Solar for All” Program, which will expand access to rooftop solar and accelerate nationwide adoption of solar energy, particularly for vulnerable households. 

Renewable energy also creates local jobs. The country cannot outsource the installation, maintenance and management of renewable energy sources, and will create many jobs for the country’s unemployed. Unlike fossil fuel imports, which send money overseas, investments in renewable energy will keep capital within the local economy.

The expansion of renewable energy in Grenada has the potential to transform the Grenadian economy and open doors for Grenada’s impoverished.

– Luca Napolitano

Luca is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Politics and The Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Poverty in Mexico and SDG Progress

Poverty in MexicoIn 2015, United Nations member states adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a global effort to end poverty, protect the planet and promote peace and prosperity by 2030. Mexico, a country of about 128 million in North America, has seen progress in reducing poverty through federal policies, but key challenges remain. Poverty in Mexico has been on the decline in recent years. As of 2025, the number of Mexicans living below the $2.15 per day poverty threshold fell from 3.9 million, or 3%, in 2018 to 2.5 million, or 2%.

Despite this progress, structural and institutional inequality still threatens Mexico’s ability to meet the SDGs. This article will review Mexico’s evaluation based on the United Nations SDG objectives for the country.

Progress on Poverty

Poverty reduction has been significant nationwide. Over the past five years, the poverty headcount ratio at $2.15 per day has decreased from 5.06 in 2020 to 1.82 in 2025. In the same time frame, poverty rates after taxes and transfers have been reduced from 16.6% to 15%.

In the 2024 Voluntary National Review (VNR), Mexico emphasized the role of policy in these reductions. For example, from 2018 to 2024 minimum wage increased by 110% and the unemployment rate reduced to 2.6%. The main financiers for these poverty in Mexico reduction programs have been the federal government and foreign investors. Social spending increased by 38%, and by 2023, foreign direct investment increased by 27%. 

Although inequality has been improving nationally, regional disparities persist. The 2024 VNR report states that between 2018 and 2022, the contrast between the richest and poorest decile earning ratios has declined from 22 times to 15 times.

Despite these improvements, inequality persists in rural regions of Mexico. As of 2025, 88% of the rural population lives below the $2.15 poverty threshold. This percentage has remained stagnant since 2018.

What’s Driving Change?

The Mexican government has been deliberate about addressing social injustices and structural inequality by means of redistribution programs. For example, from 2018 to 2022, 10 million additional Mexicans became food secure.

Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure per capita growth (annual %) increased from 0.5% in 2018 to 1.9% in 2024, with a volatile period in between, ranging from a minimum of -10.6% in 2020 and a maximum 7.7% in 2021.

In spite of efforts, issues in health care, social protection, gender inequality and structural informality persist. In the VNR report, the Mexican government claimed it had aimed to address some of these issues by focusing on SDGs which were interdependent on each other, such as how addressing SDG 1 (no poverty) invariably affects SGD 10 (reduced inequalities) as well.

Is Mexico on Track for 2030? 

The United Nations uses the SDG index rank, SDG index score and spillover score to quantify a nation’s progress towards achieving its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as to measure a nation’s ability to help other nations develop their own SDGs. Currently, Mexico ranks 72nd in the SDG index rank. Additionally, it has an index score of 70.80 and a spillover score of 90.23, ranking it at 85 out of the 167 UN member states that qualify for the index. These rankings demonstrate that, despite the progress on poverty in Mexico and inequality that has been made, there is room for improvement with regard to other SDGs.

In 2024, Mexico announced its policy initiative through the Plan Nacional de Desarrollo (PND). PND aims at stating the objectives and priorities of the government for the 2025 to 2030 period. PND contains four main areas of focus and three cross-cutting issues to direct public policy. Among the main areas of focus is “moral economy and work,” which states the priority of increasing minimum wages, expanding formal jobs and promoting social security. Among the cross-cutting issues, sometimes referred to as the transverse axis, the “substantive equality and women’s rights” objective aims at improving health policies and eliminating structural violence for women through reforms and the SEMUJERES agency.

The PND initiatives are part of the Movimiento Regeneracion Nacional (MORENA) attempt to consolidate the second stage of the transformation. The transformation is in reference to the general project of the party titled La Cuarta Transformacion, a political project which aims at transforming the political, economic and social structures of Mexico.

The Future of Mexico

The experience of Mexico shows that poverty reduction is possible, but sustaining it requires deeper structural reform. Issues related to health care, social protection, gender inequality, structural informality and regional inequality persist in the country. However, with the help of the PND strategic framework and policy initiatives, Mexico could be on track to achieve a majority of its SDGs by 2030.  

– Arturo Gonzalez 

Arturo is based in Miami, FL, USA and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How High Living Costs in Bonaire Strain Working Families

High Living Costs in BonaireHigh living costs in Bonaire have become a daily problem for many individuals residing on the Dutch Caribbean island. Despite Bonaire being a special municipality of the Netherlands, many working-class residents still struggle to afford necessities for themselves and their families. Statistics Netherlands reported that 20% of Bonaire’s residents experienced difficulty making ends meet, while 25% of children under the age of 18 were at risk of poverty in 2022. 

Housing Costs Leave Little Room To Breathe

Housing has become one of the most obvious ways in which high living costs in Bonaire have affected daily life. A Dutch government advisory report from 2023 stated that the high cost of living on the island is partially due to the lack of substantial housing and that these costs particularly impact low-income people. The same report stated that Bonaire had 565 public-sector housing units available and around 1,000 families on the waiting list.

This leaves many lower-income residents dependent on an expensive private rental market or living in crowded multigenerational households. For working families, this can mean paying too much for rent while also giving up privacy, stability and peace of mind.

Food and Transport Turn Essentials Into Financial Stress

High living costs in Bonaire do not end with rent. The government’s advisory committee also found that almost all the food and drinks consumed in Bonaire are imported from other places, mainly the Netherlands, keeping their prices very high. Statistics Netherlands reported that the prices of goods in Bonaire were 36% higher in 2024 than in 2010, while food and non-alcoholic beverage prices were 51% higher than over a decade ago.

Transportation also adds another layer of pressure. The same government report stated that there is no public transportation on the island, meaning residents across income levels are often forced to rely on private options. For low-income families, this leads to consequences such as having to pay back costly loans, depending on rides from others and having fewer opportunities to work, receive education and run daily errands.

Work Does Not Always Protect Families From the Poverty Trap

High living costs in Bonaire are especially problematic, as many residents are employed in sectors that offer modest wages. CBS reported in late 2024 that average wages in Bonaire were lower than in neighboring islands such as Sint Eustatius and Saba during the 2011–2022 period. A large number of jobs in Bonaire pay close to or at the statutory minimum wage, especially in tourism-related, retail, construction and manufacturing industries.

Beginning in July 2024, the statutory minimum wage on these three Dutch Caribbean islands was $1,751 per month. Even with this increase, families facing high rents, transport costs and rising grocery bills find that full-time work leaves little money left for savings. Consumer goods and services in Bonaire were also 5.3% more expensive in the second quarter of 2025 compared with 2024, indicating that price pressure has not been fully resolved.

Dutch Measures and Local Housing Efforts Offer Some Relief

The responses that could help alleviate these severe pressures are still in development, but there are signs of improvement. CBS reported that minimum wages and social benefits in the Dutch Caribbean have been systematically increased at a rate exceeding inflation to help low-income families keep up with the rising cost of living. Housing is another area where officials are making progress, with the Executive Council of Bonaire and Hugo de Jonge, Minister for Housing and Spatial Planning, signing the housing deal for Bonaire in 2023.

The housing deal aims to deliver 2,124 affordable homes by 2030. About $11.7 million has been allocated for the first tranche (installment), which will fund the construction of the first 600 homes, including infrastructure, beginning in 2025. The 2023 advisory report also pointed out rental subsidy measures in Bonaire that have already reduced rent costs for some families. 

These efforts will not solve the problem overnight. However, they show that Dutch and locally based institutions are under pressure to respond with more than just temporary promises.

Conclusion

High living costs in Bonaire are not an issue that will disappear quickly, especially on an island where factors such as imported goods, limited housing and car dependence shape everyday life. Still, recent wage increases, subsidy efforts and affordable housing plans suggest that relief is possible if these measures continue and expand. For working families on Bonaire, real progress depends on whether policy changes can make ordinary necessities feel manageable again rather than out of reach.

– Ashirah Newton

Ashirah is based in Brooklyn, NY and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Vocational Education Training Centers in Guatemala

Vocational Education Training Centers in GuatemalaThe journey to providing adequate education to the youth in Guatemala has been a tumultuous one. Vocational institutions especially lack the funding necessary to provide their students with a proper technical education. But, the salient jobs in this country, like agriculture and information technology, require solid technical foundations. So, it is clear that vocational education is becoming more prevalent than ever to its future generations. However, issues like nationwide poverty and internal political turmoil hinder the quality of these facilities. Here is more information about the state of vocational education training centers in Guatemala.

General Educational Barriers in Guatemala 

According to WorldData.Info, Guatemala has ranked 162nd out of 193 countries in the global education ranking. Only about half of students complete elementary school, and one-third finish secondary school. The issue of providing education to Guatemalan citizens stems from poverty across the country. Guatemala’s 36-year Civil War between 1960-1996 displaced hundreds of thousands of Indigenous people, which still negatively impacts their standard of living today. About 47.3% of Guatemalans live with a budget of around 64 quetzales, which in U.S. dollars, translates to about $8.30 a day.

As a result, many families in Guatemala are unable to afford sending their children to school. There is also a significant resource gap in classrooms; they are oftentimes overcrowded, or they lack teachers with the proper training necessary for instruction. These political and economic obstacles bleed into vocational schools, which prevent students from getting a good education.   

Vocational Education Training Centers in Guatemala 

Guatemalan technical institutions offer students high-demand skills learned in a wide range of subjects in culinary and pastry arts, agriculture, carpentry and computer science. The Ministry of Education stated many of them lacked proper equipment. Some schools, such as Junkabel and William Cornelius Training Center have excellent facilities. But the vast majority lack the budget, staff and infrastructure needed to run them.  

Luckily, there have been several efforts aimed at improving the quality of education at Guatemalan trade schools. Foreign aid organizations, like the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), fundraised $20.6 million for Education toward the Guatemala Threshold Program, $4.2 million of which went to technical education alone. Also, the CEPA Foundation, a nonprofit organization, has partnered with another nonprofit, Fundación Corazones Libres, in order to provide vocational education to young children in Vuelta Grande. These funds are used to create new vocational high schools with modernized computers that increase accessibility.

Another nonprofit, Infinite Chance, has funded enough money to buy welding and industrial sewing machines necessary for instruction. Besides nonprofits, affluent vocational institutions in Guatemala like INTECAP have offered vocational certifications and training to secondary students to help them gain specialized skills. 

The Future of Vocational Education Centers in Guatemala 

Although there is much left to be done to improve vocational education training centers in Guatemala, such as updating curricula to fit the rapidly advancing job market, many charities and nonprofits have organized initiatives to help repair the education system. For instance, the Swisscontact Project teamed up with the Ministry of Education and Social Welfare in Guatemala in 2023 to provide students with technical courses relevant to the IT and food sectors.

The primary goals of these projects is to reduce the need for migration in the Guatemalan workforce. Guatemala wants to decrease the levels of unemployment among Guatemalan youth by providing sufficient Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to students who wish to pursue a career in the skilled trades.

More than 90% of Guatemala’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) comes from industry, service and agriculture jobs. By promoting vocational education centers in Guatemala, future generations can hope to earn a living through these technical careers and boost their domestic economy.

– Stacie Hueter

Stacie is based in Denville, NJ, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Protecting Nutrition Security in Rwanda amid USAID crisis

Nutrition Security in RwandaFrom receiving approximately $12.7 billion from USAID grants in 2024, to the slashing and the cancelling of USAID programs in 2026, Africa faces reductions in multiple life-saving programs focusing on HIV/AIDS, malaria, maternal and child health and nutrition.

In sub-Saharan Africa, more than 55 million people face severe food shortages, and more than 13 million children could suffer severe malnutrition. Across the region, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger are the most affected by the cancellation of nutrition programs, with malnutrition levels inching towards critical and mortality rates among children skyrocketing. Rwanda also faces similar challenges due to the cuts in USAID; however, they are positioned better than neighbouring countries. Proactive planning, policy implementation, health services and nutrition programs underlay the long-term efforts towards nutrition security in Rwanda, enabling them to withstand the shocking blow of aid cuts.

The Long-Term Plan to Establish Nutrition Security in Rwanda

Rwanda’s government has taken a proactive, autonomous approach to direct foreign aid into investing and developing its own aid programs. This ensured the maximum and most efficient use of the foreign aid provided, and Rwanda used this to build a long-term nutrition security plan that cushioned the country during the aid cuts.

Rwanda’s National Food and Nutrition Policy served as a basis for the strategic plan from 2013 to 2018, including a framework for fortified foods for mothers and children, school milk programs, and community awareness campaigns, including the following programs, which have delivered results amid the aid crisis.

Shisha Kibondo

This program saw the local production of a range of nutrient-dense fortified blended food (FBF) products under the brand Shisha Kibondo. These supplements are freely distributed among children younger than 2 years. Pregnant mothers also receive a locally produced maize-corn flour blend with a vitamin/mineral premix. The FBP distribution has contributed to the reduction in child stunting from 33% in 2020 to 27% in 2025, and an overall increase in food security among Rwanda’s households, enabling more than 80% of them to get three meals a day. This data has been uninterrupted by disruptions due to the global pandemic or the aid cuts.

Iron Beans

Iron deficiency is prevalent among Rwandans. Notably, 19% of pregnant women and 37% of the children under the age of 5 suffer from iron deficiency anaemia. To specifically combat these numbers, the Rwanda Agriculture Board and the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture, in partnership with HarvestPlus, introduced iron-fortified bean varieties to Rwandan farmers and provided them with training for suitable agricultural practices. They also worked with the private sector to scale up production and delivery of the iron beans. The ministries of Education and Agriculture have encouraged adding these iron beans to school feeding programs. These iron beans quickly reduce iron deficiency and anaemia among consumers, and enhance their cognitive and physical capabilities.

Feeding Programs

Among multiple school feeding programs, the National Early Childhood Development Programme funded the “One Cup of Milk per Child” program, ensuring pre-primary and primary students receive milk servings two times a week across 19 districts in Rwanda. The overall aim of the program was to improve the nutritional status of students and to encourage them to pursue their education. These feeding programs helped reduce dropout rates among the children, with dropout rates declining by half since 2021 and encouraged students who previously left school to return and pursue their education.

Nutrition and Hygiene Awareness Programs

Community Health Workers (CHW) are responsible for providing health care services within the community. CHWs also implement nutritional interventions, train and educate parents and caregivers in proper nutrition and hygiene practises, and regularly monitor and support households at risk. The CHW network helps contribute to the decline in stunting among children and the reduction of mortality rates among children and pregnant women. While families benefit from CHWs’ guidance, they are sometimes unable to implement the required recommendations and may need additional resources and support to protect their families from nutrition-related tragedies.

By investing in nutrition security in Rwanda, the government was able to maintain core services and protect its citizens, while its neighbours bore the brunt of aid cuts. As the effects of aid cuts continue to ripple across the region, Rwanda’s model of self-sufficiency offers a blueprint for cultivating permanent systems instead of fostering reliance and dependency.

– Nishtha Mahendra Kumar

Nishtha is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr