Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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Child Soldiers in Liberia: Rebuilding Lives Through Reintegration

Child Soldiers in Liberia
Liberia experienced two civil wars between 1989 and 2003. During the conflict, armed groups recruited thousands of children through abduction, social pressure and promises of protection. UNICEF explains that child soldiers in Liberia served roles such as armed fighters, messengers, laborers and cooks. Girls associated with the armed groups also faced sexual violence and exploitation. The UNICEF evaluation describes the large number of children associated with fighting forces during Liberia’s wars, while disarmament participation figures refer to a different population.

What Children Experienced During the War

Many child soldiers in Liberia came from communities struggling with poverty, damaged schools and limited employment opportunities. The UNICEF evaluation connects these conditions to child recruitment. Some children joined fighting forces to find food, protection, belonging or revenge, while others believed armed groups could protect them and their families. Poverty did not determine every child’s experience, but economic insecurity and the collapse of family and community support increased children’s vulnerability to recruitment.

UNICEF explains that children connected to armed groups may be forced to participate in harrowing training, undergo hazardous labor and risk facing death, disability or chronic injury. They may also witness torture, killing and other forms of violence.

At a time of crucial development in a child’s life, child soldiers in Liberia were training in combat and risking their lives. Even children who were not recruited to fight experienced psychological trauma by witnessing the death of relatives, friends or neighbors. Violence also caused families to leave their homes and relocate, interrupting their children’s access to education.

Once the war ended, child soldiers did not simply return to their communities unaffected. Many former child soldiers missed years of school and time spent with their families. Some community members even viewed them with fear or suspicion. A small interview-based study published in Social Development Issues examined the experiences of 34 adults who had served in Liberia’s fighting forces as children. The study does not represent every former child soldier in Liberia. Instead, it provides a limited account of the challenges some former child soldiers faced during reintegration. The researchers identified three major barriers: poor administration of reintegration programs, constrained opportunities for education and employment, and social marginalization. The study shows why former child soldiers may need long-term support after returning to civilian life.

Reintegration Helps Former Child Soldiers Rebuild Their Lives

In an effort to ease reintegration, Liberia created programs that help children leave armed groups and return to their communities. Disarmament removes weapons from children while demobilization formally separates children from armed groups. The UNICEF evaluation explains that Liberia began its disarmament and demobilization process in December 2003 after the United Nations established the United Nations Mission in Liberia in October 2003. The program aimed to help former child soldiers address trauma, reconnect with their families and develop skills for employment. The program offered three months of skills training and three years of formal education. The report also estimated that up to 4,000 children associated with fighting forces never entered the disarmament and demobilization process. These figures show why Liberia needed long-term programs to help former child soldiers return to their families, communities and civilian life.

How the Reintegration Program Worked

In a statement delivered at a United Nations workshop on June 6, 2018, Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Lewis Garseedah Brown, described the country’s historical reintegration program for former child soldiers. He explained how UNICEF coordinated with the Liberian government, nongovernmental organizations, religious groups and private businesses to connect children to education and enroll them in vocational training. Another top priority was to provide assistance in psychological support and family reunification. These resources addressed trauma and developed the skills needed for employment and independent living.

Thousands of children participated in disarmament and demobilization initiatives, although these programs faced significant limitations. Brown explained that the process struggled with limited funding, short training periods and lack of long-term follow-up. The program also faced criticism for a short duration, only offering three months for skilled training and three years for formal education, regardless of what grade the child was entering from. These challenges show why postwar reintegration required continued support after children leave formal programs.

The Importance of Community Support

Community support remains an important part of the reintegration process. Family, schools and local organizations can help former child soldiers return to civilian life by providing educational opportunities to develop livelihoods. In a paper published by the World Bank in 2001, case studies from Angola and El Salvador provide lessons about preventing and demobilizing child soldiers. They note that successful reintegration programs require not only political support and adequate funding, but also a strong commitment from families and communities. Education and employment opportunities can reduce vulnerability to re-recruitment and support greater independence.

Liberia’s experience shows that reintegration requires more than just removing children from armed groups. Although reintegration programs cannot erase the harm and trauma caused by the war, they can offer opportunities that will help a child move forward in their future. By prioritizing education, teaching skills needed for future employment and community support, child soldiers in Liberia can build safer and more independent futures.

– Allyson Young

Allyson is based in San Diego, California and focuses on Business and New Markets, and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Cambodia’s National Health Data System Explained

Cambodia’s National Health Data System
On May 15, 2026, Cambodia’s Ministry of Health launched a new electronic Health Management Information System (HMIS) intended for rollout across all 25 provinces, aiming to address gaps in health care data and coverage. The ministry developed this initiative in partnership with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the Clinton Health Access Initiative and the Vaccine Alliance, representing a shift toward more consistent, data-driven health care services in Cambodia.

What is HMIS?

The Health Management Information System (HMIS) is Cambodia’s national framework for collecting and using health service data. DHIS2 is the software platform on which Cambodia’s national health data system HMIS is built. Based at the University of Oslo, it allows health workers to enter data remotely.

Built on DHIS2, the national system enables data reporting from health centers to decision-makers, increasing both continuity of care and the speed at which it can be administered. The system aims to unify reporting, increasing visibility and allowing health care providers to evaluate who needs care and identify unaccounted individuals.

What Problem is This System Working to Solve?

Cambodia faces struggles with health care coverage due to lack of infrastructure, high out-of-pocket costs, low public funding, understaffing and geographical challenges. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the kingdom faces challenges primarily in maternal mortality with a ratio of 154 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and child nutrition with 22% of children under five stunted from malnutrition.

Tuberculosis remains a priority for Cambodia, as the World Health Organization reports that the disease impacts around one in 183 people. Prevention and treatment rely on accessible health care and the distribution of vaccinations.

According to the Cambodia National Immunization Strategy Report, underused health facilities, irregular outreach initiatives and high rates of patient dropout between vaccination doses mean that Cambodia’s immunization system struggles to reach all citizens, particularly zero-dose children. Gavi reports that children remain under-immunized, underscoring the importance of more reliable service data.

HMIS covers routine immunization, primary care and disease surveillance. According to the World Health Organization, Cambodia’s national health data system now allows health care workers to enter and access service and disease data as it becomes available with dashboard monitors to track trends and performance.

What Impact is it Having?

While the implementation of the system is still in early development, it is expected to have positive impacts on Cambodia’s health care system. In September 2026, DHIS2 hosted technical training for Cambodia, including server management training in Ho Chi Minh City. According to its report, this initiative trained participants on installation, security, maintenance and system integration.

According to Cambodia’s National Immunization Strategy 2021-2025, Village Health Support Groups can be unstandardized and often have little or no formal budget, but the new DHIS2-based HMIS gives managers real-time data and dashboards to track service use and trends. This can allow for better targeting of outreach to underserved communities.

What Impact May Occur in the Future?

According to the World Health Organization and Gavi, Gavi is investing more than $2 million to build and adapt the system, train health workers and support nationwide rollout. This initiative marks the commitment of Cambodia’s government to focus on health care and collaboration. The investment aims to strengthen Cambodia’s national health data system, though outcomes will depend on implementation.

UNICEF’s partnership builds a national DHIS2 core team, ongoing training and user manuals so the ministry can manage and expand the system independently to increase long-term national ownership and sustainability. The strategy calls for quarterly tracking of missed children from commune to district to province, and for e-registries with SMS reminders to caregivers.

Cambodia’s health care challenges remain significant, however the launch of the HMIS system with the use of DHIS2 software represents an important update. Cambodia’s national health data system can offer a potential way to reduce unreliable immunization coverage figures and help health managers direct resources toward underserved communities.

– Anna Kubiak

Anna is based in Buffalo, New York/Erie County, United States and focuses on Technology and Solutions, and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How a Dumpling Business is Supporting Rural Employment in Kyrgyzstan

Rural Employment in Kyrgyzstan
“Everyone should strive for their dream and do everything possible to achieve it.”

Maksat Kydyrzhan uulu, an emerging entrepreneur in rural Kyrgyzstan, is living these words every day.

From watching production workshops to starting a small pop-up cafe with his wife, Maksat became inspired to start a business of his own. After attending training sessions and receiving a small grant supported by the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), his dreams became more achievable. These efforts eventually led to the creation of Min-Bulak village’s own small dumpling business.

Poverty in Rural Kyrgyzstan

Employment in rural Kyrgyzstan relies heavily on agriculture. According to World Bank data based on ILO estimates, agriculture accounted for 16% of total employment in 2024. Much of the country’s agricultural production comes from small household farms, and limited modernization has contributed to ongoing food insecurity, particularly in rural communities.

A large portion of the poorest households do not have access to enough food. This insufficiency can reduce people’s energy and ability to work. Additionally, Kyrgyzstan has relatively few major exports and has not fully developed resources such as coal and gold, limiting opportunities for economic growth.

Many people, particularly in rural communities, also have difficulty accessing bank loans, credit assessments and other financial services. These barriers make it much harder for entrepreneurs to start or expand businesses.

Although poverty has decreased in recent years, falling from 29.8% in 2023 to 25.7% in 2024, this economic growth has not benefited everyone equally. Lower-income households experienced less consumption growth than middle- and higher-income households.

Additionally, gender inequalities still persist in Kyrgyzstan. Boys and girls generally have similar access to services and developmental outcomes in early childhood, but gender norms become much more restrictive as children grow older.

About 12% of women aged 20-49 were married before age 18, with higher rates among marginalized communities. Social expectations also force women to take on more household responsibilities rather than encourage them to seek employment in other sectors.

Addressing the Challenges

Job creation is an important pathway out of poverty. The private sector is an important driver of job creation, particularly through small and medium-sized businesses. However, entrepreneurs in poorer countries often struggle to access the financing needed to start or expand businesses.

The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) supports efforts to reduce investment risks and broaden financing opportunities. An IDA-supported project in Kyrgyzstan has helped expand access to finance for more than 100,000 people and businesses.

These efforts are particularly important for small businesses, which can create jobs and income opportunities within their own communities and support rural employment in Kyrgyzstan.

Supporting entrepreneurs can also help women enter the workforce and become business owners, addressing many of the gender-related employment barriers.

Economic development can also benefit countries beyond Kyrgyzstan. As individuals earn more income and local economies grow, countries can become stronger trading partners and create new markets for goods and services.

Maksat’s Impact

Maksat’s small dumpling business created four local jobs, including three positions for women in Min-Bulak, giving them an opportunity to earn income while staying close to home and their families. His business is one example of how small-scale entrepreneurship can support rural employment in Kyrgyzstan.

By selling dumplings in Min-Bulak, nearby villages and Talas, Maksat not only provides a stable source of income for his family but also contributes to the local economy. He is also planning to expand his business beyond dumplings, introducing “meatballs, cutlets, and other semi-finished products,” which could create even more jobs.

Next Steps

Maksat’s story shows how a relatively small investment in one entrepreneur can create opportunities far beyond one person. His business has already created local jobs, provided women with employment and brought new economic activity to his community.

Continuing to support entrepreneurs like Maksat will be important for expanding these opportunities across rural Kyrgyzstan. The IDA Private Sector Window has global job-creation and lending targets, but these are not forecasts for Kyrgyzstan.

With continued access to financing, training, and resources, more entrepreneurs can turn small ideas into sustainable businesses. Maksat’s dumpling workshop is proof that when entrepreneurs are given the opportunity to dream, their success can help strengthen local economies and allow entire communities to grow.

– Diya Rajkumar

Diya is based in Redmond, Washington, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Solar Mesh Grids Improve Electricity Access in Haiti

Electricity Access in Haiti
Electricity access in Haiti is a major determinant of energy poverty. This term can be defined as insufficient access to energy that is both reliable and affordable enough for cooking, heating and other essential activities.

Only about a third of Haiti is electrified, with a stark difference between urban and rural areas. While urban electrification reaches up to 85%, it remains a mere 15% for rural populations. In these remote areas, which are home to 40% of Haiti’s population, wood and charcoal often serve as the primary sources for daily lighting and cooking.

Even for those connected to the grid, electricity is expensive and unreliable due to aging infrastructure and chronic mismanagement. Yet despite these challenges, Haiti represents an emerging market for renewable energy, and the country’s tropical location is ideal for solar.

The Solution

For people living off-grid, electricity access in Haiti often comes from mini-grids or solar home systems, each with pros and cons. Solar home systems are affordable and easy to install, but only produce enough power for basic lighting and charging needs. On the other hand, mini-grids can produce enough electricity for businesses and more demanding appliances but face higher upfront costs.

In 2021, a Haitian startup called Alina Eneji decided to pursue a third option: the mesh grid. The mesh grids, whose components are designed and built by the Australian company Okra Solar, combine the affordability of home solar with enough output to power small businesses.

They follow a hub-and-spoke model, where “hub” households receive solar panels, an inverter, a battery and a Pod, Okra’s metering device. Nearby “spoke” households receive a Pod and sometimes a battery, then connect to hubs by low-voltage lines. This setup allows homes within 50 meters of each other to share up to 600 watts of power and ensures that customers only pay for what they use.

The Outlook

Initially, Alina Eneji’s pilot program served only 35 homes, but it was not long before outsiders started taking notice. Following an intervention from the Global Energy Alliance, the number of connections surged to 1,000 by 2023.

Alina Eneji has continued expanding its network. An Inter-American Development Bank project approved in December 2023 aimed to support service for 8,000 additional rural households. The IDB project lists a total cost of $1.75 million and an original grant approval of $500,000. These are financing figures and an expansion objective, not evidence that every planned household has been connected.

Customers have found several new and economically productive ways to use their electricity. Some have bought the freezers and refrigerators necessary to run a bar or restaurant, while others offer paid phone charging services. Nighttime lighting has added a greater sense of safety, particularly for women.

Driko Ducasse, founder of Alina Eneji, says he wants to show stakeholders that electricity access in Haiti is within reach. “More broadly, my goal is to give back because I want other Haitians to have the opportunities that I have had.”

– Harland Pusey-Nazzaro

Harland is based in Brunswick, ME, USA and focuses on Business and New Markets, and Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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How Private Sector Investment Could Support Sudan’s Agricultural Recovery

Sudan's Agricultural Recovery
Since the war in Sudan began in 2023, cereal production has fallen catastrophically, dropping 46% in the first year. By 2025, almost 90% of farmers and producer groups reported smaller harvests, and yields had fallen by as much as 71% in the areas most affected by fighting. UNDP reported that more than 19 million people were struggling to access enough food, while severe malnutrition was affecting the worst-hit communities. Sudan’s agricultural recovery is a crucial part of ending the country’s humanitarian crisis.

Market Islands

Sudan has impressive agricultural potential, given its 170 million acres of arable land, Nile-fed irrigation and adequate rain. However, the conflict has been detrimental to the agricultural sector.

The UNDP explains the current division of the sector, calling the disconnected industries “market islands.” Food prices have driven this division, which have risen up to 200% since the war began. Transaction costs have also contributed to higher food costs, rising by 30-40%.

Potential Growth

The UNDP analysis, in partnership with the International Trade Centre, identified a list of crops that could improve both food insecurity and income levels. These are sorghum, sesame, groundnuts, soybean, gum arabic, hibiscus and livestock.

Gum arabic is a particularly promising value chain, as Sudan produces around 80% of the world’s gum arabic, but disrupted collection and export routes have reduced export levels. Exports were approximately 40% below stable levels.

Financing Issues

Another major detriment to crop yields is the lack of appropriate financing for farmers. UNDP reports that more than 70% of farmers and small businesses cannot secure financing, hindering their efforts to maintain or increase production.

The Agricultural Bank of Sudan temporarily halted loan distribution because of inflation.

The agricultural sector is so fragile that many farmers have transitioned to subsistence plots, small pieces of land used to grow food solely for the farmer’s household. These plots protect farmers from economic downturns but also reduce crop production.

Dialogue Between UNDP and Sudan’s Ministry of Finance

On Sept. 23, the UNDP and Sudan’s Ministry of Finance concluded a three-day dialogue to develop an agricultural roadmap for Sudan’s food production crisis and economic recovery. More than 300 participants attended, including government ministries, businesses, financial institutions, the national and international private sector, farmers’ and trade associations and other stakeholders. The dialogue centered on engaging the private sector to reduce food insecurity and poverty, especially for individuals needing more support than humanitarian assistance. Prioritizing private sector engagement is imperative because it is responsible for nearly 98% of jobs.

The forum encouraged discussion of “productivity, access to finance (including credit guarantees, takaful insurance, blended finance and diaspora investment), market systems, and aggregation, trade and export facilitation, and policy and institutional reform.”

Outcomes of Khartoum Dialogue

The forum emphasized private-sector participation and the development of a roadmap for agricultural recovery. The forum also discussed potential investments with international participants; such proposals are not confirmed funding commitments.

Potential Support for Farmers

In terms of supporting farmers and crop production, there are a variety of measures UNDP is considering, including credit guarantees and trade facilitation.

UNDP is coordinating an attempt at a warehouse receipt system with the national and international private sector. Farmers would receive receipts that would support financing in exchange for storing their produce in approved facilities.

– Pritam Khalsa

Pritam is based in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Move Toward Inclusive Employment in Belarus

Inclusive Employment in Belarus
Belarus, situated in Eastern Europe, is a post-Soviet country that borders Russia, Ukraine and EU countries. The overall rate of unemployment has improved over the last two decades, but inclusive employment in Belarus remains an issue. While the general rate of unemployment in the country was about 3.5% in 2025, for those with disabilities it was much higher at 16.5%. However, signs indicate that things are moving in the right direction. Multiple initiatives, funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), are making workplaces more accessible and opening up new opportunities to help unemployed disabled people into work. It provides useful models that show how greater inclusive employment opportunities are possible.

The Work of the UNDP in Belarus

The United Nations Development Program has operated in Belarus since 1992. The agreement was to support economic development and promote social progress and better standards of life. One way it accomplishes this is through funding programs that equip those with different kinds of disabilities with tools for the workplace. These programs aim to expand opportunities for skills development, employment and social inclusion.

Dobra Kava

Dobra Kava, translated as “Good Coffee” in Belarusian, is a coffee roasting company based in Chojniki, Gomel region. Wheelchair users created the business, and its workshops are fully accessible. Founded in 2022, EU and UNDP support has been important in bringing this idea to life. By expanding beyond this region, Dobra Kava joined an international e-commerce marketplace, Ozon, allowing its coffee to reach more people. The knowledge these entrepreneurs have gained is now reaching others interested in selling products on online marketplaces through a “roadmap” they have made publicly available. Dobra Kava is an example of a business paving the way for the expansion of inclusive employment in Belarus. Its experience shows how accessible workplaces and digital tools can create employment opportunities, although it does not demonstrate a national decline in unemployment.

3D Printing and Animation Programs

Based in Luninets in the Brest region, a 3D printing program provides disabled people with opportunities to gain new skills. The initiative aims to help participants develop skills applicable to self-employment. The program also provides access to a community where people can share similar experiences. Another program, based in Grodno, teaches young people with intellectual disabilities skills in animation. It provides a space to collaborate and work together while learning new skills. Both initiatives show that, moving forward, programs are in place to not just help disabled people into employment, but also to provide a sense of social inclusion and value as part of a community. This is particularly important in smaller villages, like Luninets, where opportunities are more limited for those with disabilities.

Moving Forward

From building accessible workplaces to creating programs that teach useful digital skills, inclusive employment in Belarus is becoming a more achievable goal. The funding and support from the UNDP continue to play an important role in encouraging this move. Although these programs remain relatively small-scale, entrepreneurs, such as those who created Dobra Kava, lead the way in showing how creating inclusive employment opportunities is not just an aspirational goal but truly achievable.

– Madeleine Davey

Madeleine is based in Sheffield, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions, and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Expanding Safe Water Access in Kiribati

Safe Water Access in Kiribati
Kiribati is facing an urgent water crisis, with limited access to safe drinking water and sanitation placing communities at continual risk of disease. As reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), safe water access in Kiribati remains critically low. WHO’s 2022 indicators show low access to safely managed drinking water, particularly in rural communities. Kiribati also faces sanitation challenges, with limited access to safely managed sanitation services in WHO’s 2022 reporting, according to the WHO. These conditions contribute directly to the spread of waterborne and sanitation-related diseases, placing vulnerable communities at heightened risk. WHO identifies unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene as public health risks. These figures highlight the need for urgent intervention to strengthen water security and reduce preventable disease exposure.

The South Tarawa Water Supply Project

Several major organizations have collaborated to address the unsafe water and sanitation issues in Kiribati. The Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and the Green Climate Fund have co-financed, alongside the Kiribati government, a $92.06 million project on the island of South Tarawa, Kiribati. The primary goal is to substantially increase the population’s access to safely managed drinking water services that can withstand climate and disaster-related challenges, providing reliable, safe water access in Kiribati. Much of the investment targets infrastructure, through the construction and maintenance of two water desalination plants and new water supply networks.

In addition to infrastructure, the project aims to combat poor hygiene in the region, with new practices delivered through community programs. Education on safe sanitation practices will also be a focus, with initiatives introduced in several South Tarawa schools. Finally, the project will ensure the continued management and safeguarding of these new water sources, with it yet to outline specific activities. The first drinking water distribution system in South Tarawa, the McKenzie Desalination Plant, was commissioned and completed in 2025. However, the Betio desalination plant is delayed due to water-quality concerns, while parts of the distribution network remain under development. As a result, the project has not yet translated into widespread safe water access, with progress dependent on the completion of the remaining systems. This project operates in accordance with the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank’s community safeguards, ensuring the minimization of adverse social and environmental outcomes.

Current Update – July 2026

The South Tarawa Water Supply Project provides community updates and consultations, detailing the project’s recent activities and progress. July’s update emphasized the importance of community involvement, calling for all in the community to help sustain and ensure solid maintenance of the water system. Community outreach and hygiene education are part of the project’s official objectives. Community engagement remains important to the project’s long-term operation.

The South Tarawa Water Supply Project represents a major step toward securing safe water access in Kiribati by building reliable and disaster-resilient water systems for the community. By combining the construction of new infrastructure, necessary upgrades to water supply routes, community engagement and strengthened hygiene, the initiative is establishing the systems needed to sustain safe water access in South Tarawa. Continued progress of this project is crucial to ensuring long-term improvements to public health and daily life in Kiribati.

– Xavier Stephens

Xavier is based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and focuses on Good News, Technology and Solutions, and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Pensioner Poverty in Hungary

Pensioner Poverty in Hungary
In April 2026, Hungary held an election that changed the governing party after 16 years. The country elected the Tisza Party, led by Peter Magyar. The election ended 16 years of Fidesz-led government. Fidesz, a right-wing political party, governed Hungary for 16 years before the 2026 election. Its record included controversial decisions on public spending, health care and education, as well as disputes with the European Union over funding and governance. The European Union withheld portions of Hungary’s funding over concerns about compliance with EU requirements, and Hungary lost access to more than €1 billion in funds in early 2026. Hungary’s pension system faces longstanding challenges, including low pensions for some retirees and the legacy of irregular employment and underreported wages. One group that has experienced particularly serious effects is the elderly, many of whom live in pensioner poverty.

Explaining the Issue: Those Affected

Many Hungarians have worked on farms and in factories throughout their lives to make ends meet. However, after retirement, many live below the established poverty line.

Some people in Hungary receive pensions far below the country’s at-risk-of-poverty threshold. Around 23% of pensioners receive a monthly income below the official at-risk-of-poverty line. According to Human Rights Watch’s analysis of official Hungarian Central Statistical Office data, the at-risk-of-poverty rate among people aged 65 and over increased from 6.3% in 2018 to 16.1% in 2023.

Poverty rates among elderly women are even higher. Historically, women in Hungary earned less than men while performing the same or similar jobs. As a result, women often receive lower pensions after retirement.

Women in Hungary also tend to live longer than men. This means that female pensioners may have to live on a lower income for a longer period during their later years.

These factors have contributed to the growth of pensioner poverty in Hungary and have left many elderly people struggling to afford basic living costs.

Fidesz Government Policies, Funding and Inflation

Hungary gained independence from the Soviet Union between 1990 and 1991. The reporting of wages and the payment of social contributions can affect the pensions workers receive in retirement. Workers whose official earnings are recorded at lower levels may consequently receive lower pensions.

Between 2009 and 2011, the government introduced changes to the national private pension system as a way to strengthen the system. However, the government implemented these changes quickly, which left gaps in the system. As a result, some of the reforms failed to provide sufficient support to those most affected.

In 2009, Fidesz also stopped using the “Swiss indexation” method to increase pensions. This system based pension increases partly on wage growth. Instead, the government introduced an indexation system based on inflation.

These decisions contributed to future economic inequality, particularly between people receiving low fixed-income pensions and current workers and recent retirees who receive higher incomes.

Inflation has also had a direct connection to the increase in pensioner poverty in Hungary. Inflation surged between 2022 and 2023, putting additional pressure on pensioners who already relied on limited fixed incomes.

To combat rising costs, the Fidesz government introduced measures such as gas price controls and food price controls in 2023 and 2025. However, price controls may have limited effectiveness if businesses increase prices on other goods or services to offset their costs.

What the New Tisza Government Plans to Do

On May 25, 2026, Peter Magyar announced plans to support 1.3 million elderly Hungarians on the lowest pension incomes. According to Human Rights Watch, the proposed SZÉP-card support represents the government’s first step toward addressing pensioner poverty. The prepaid cards are intended to help recipients cover basic needs, including food and domestic travel. Magyar has also pledged to increase pensions for people receiving less than 500,000 HUF per month, prioritizing those receiving less than 250,000 HUF. The government’s manifesto also proposes raising the minimum monthly pension to 120,000 HUF. However, this proposed amount would remain below the at-risk-of-poverty threshold.

The extent to which these measures will reduce pensioner poverty remains uncertain. These proposals are intended to provide additional financial support to pensioners on the lowest incomes. However, their impact on pensioner poverty will depend on their implementation and whether the support is sufficient to help recipients meet their basic living costs.

What is Still Needed to Address Pensioner Poverty in Hungary?

Although the Tisza government’s proposed measures aim to provide additional support for pensioners, it remains to be seen whether they will significantly reduce pensioner poverty. Deeper reforms may also be needed to address the structural issues within Hungary’s pension system.

Human Rights Watch argues that structural pension reform is needed alongside short-term payments to improve social security and adequate living standards for older people.

A new pension indexation system could also help protect pensioners from future increases in inflation and living costs. Long-term reform will need to address the underlying weaknesses within the pension system so that fewer elderly Hungarians live below the at-risk-of-poverty threshold.

– Georgina Harrison

Georgina is based in London, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Women’s Economic Participation in Sao Tome and Principe

Women's Economic Participation in Sao Tome and Principe
Sao Tome and Principe is a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western coast of Central Africa, with roughly 220,000 residents. Women’s economic participation in Sao Tome and Principe trails men’s on several measures. The World Bank’s Gender Data Portal indicates that although Sao Tome and Principe behaves similarly to other lower-middle-income countries, its performance on indicators related to women’s economic empowerment more closely resembles its low-income neighbors. The country, however, has made strong legislative strides to safeguard women’s rights, such as passing a Gender Parity Law and reforming labor codes. A more recent program developing women’s economic positions while supporting local agricultural businesses looks promising.

Where Inequality Stands

Women’s economic participation in Sao Tome and Principe is close to men’s on paper, but participation is low for everyone. Available World Bank indicators point to barriers to economic opportunity, although measures of employment, labor-force participation and earnings should not be treated as interchangeable. Among those who work, women are slightly more likely to be in vulnerable employment (35.8% versus 34.2%), and the 2025 youth unemployment rate was 9.4% for women and 8.3% for men. UN reporting indicates that women face economic disparities, but gross national income per capita is not a direct measure of the wage gap.

Educational attainment also paints a similar picture. Research that UNESCO conduced found that the gender gap in school exclusion has almost disappeared, with the out-of-school rate among girls of primary and secondary school age falling from 47% to 28%, compared to a rate of 27% among boys. However, while parity has been achieved in primary and lower secondary education, women trail behind men in educational attainment. Although enrollment numbers are equal at the start, post-secondary education remains scarce for women. With a high adolescent fertility rate, pregnancy remains one of the leading reasons girls leave school early, sharply lowering retention and transition rates into secondary education. Recognizing this, the Disciplinary Act was removed in 2020, which prohibited pregnant girls from attending classes or school activities.

The Gender Parity Law

Women’s economic participation depends partly on who makes public decisions and who holds public jobs. The Gender Parity Law, adopted in 2022, sets a minimum 40% representation threshold for women and men in covered political and public decision-making bodies. The National Assembly approved it unanimously on July 28, 2022, and it entered into force 60 days after its publication on Sept. 19. That was after the September 2022 election, in which women won 8 of 55 seats (14.5%), down from 25.4% in 2018.

The UN declares the government has met the 40% target, and the World Bank reported that women held 41.7% of ministerial positions in 2024, but only 14.5% of parliamentary seats. However, even though targets have been met, the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law 2026 report scored Sao Tome and Principe’s legal frameworks at 68 out of 100 and experts’ perceptions of enforcement at 48 out of 100. The parity law can affect representation, but it does not by itself demonstrate better employment or income outcomes. One of the largest new projects is in fishing, a sector the 2023-2027 National Development Plan prioritizes for poverty reduction, and the project’s funder has written women’s access into its design.

Investing in Fishing Communities

Fishing is important to livelihoods and food security, and the government is supporting infrastructure and training in the sector. The African Development Bank (ADB) approved a $21.9 million grant for the Blue Economy and Fisheries Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Maintenance (BEFIRM) project. Running from 2026 to 2030, it will rehabilitate three fishing ports, replace 400 wooden canoes with fiberglass vessels and add six cold storage facilities and four refrigerated trucks.

The ADB expects it to directly benefit 30,000 people along the fish value chain, mainly small-scale fishers, processors and traders. At least 50% of its training and cooperative support will target women and youth, with specific provisions for women-led small businesses and cooperatives. An ADB official said women are central to the fish value chain but struggle to access equipment, finance and markets, and that the project will give women fish traders and processors infrastructure, training and pathways to formalize and scale their businesses. These are targets, not results, and the ADB’s release does not say how many of the direct beneficiaries will be women. The ADB says the project aligns with the 2023-2027 National Development Plan, which prioritizes the blue economy for poverty reduction.

Looking Ahead

Both the parity law and the BEFIRM project are young, and neither has yet shown results for women’s incomes. Whether they improve women’s economic participation in Sao Tome and Principe will depend on how they are conducted in the coming years.

– Anjali Pathak

Anjali is based in London and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Clean Cooking Technologies Can Help Reduce Global Poverty

Clean Cooking Technologies
For millions of families throughout the world, cooking a meal can be more than gathering a few ingredients and turning on the stove. For example, families who cook with wood must find the right wood, build the fire, burn it, manage the smoke at the right point and place the food to let it cook. This process is extremely time-consuming and unhealthy, mainly for families who rely on it for every meal of the day. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 2.1 billion people worldwide cook using open fire or inefficient stoves that use polluting fuels. Household air pollution contributed to an estimated 2.9 million deaths in 2021.

Clean Cooking

Clean cooking refers to cooking technologies and fuels that meet health-based emissions standards. According to WHO, these include electricity, solar, liquid petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas, and ethanol, while some advanced biomass cookstoves can also qualify when they meet WHO’s standards.

However, easy access to clean cooking remains hard for some families, especially those living in poverty. In 2023, approximately 2.1 billion people still relied on polluting fuels and technologies for cooking. The World Bank reported that global access to clean cooking was 74% that year, but progress has slowed significantly. Many low-income families’ biggest barrier remains affordability.

The Health Effects of Polluting Fuels

When people burn solid fuels inefficiently, the process releases harmful pollutants. These pollutants include fine particulate matter that can travel deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Long-term exposure to this household air pollution is associated with several diseases. Some include:

  • Stroke
  • Ischaemic heart disease
  • Acute lower respiratory infections
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Lung cancer

Women and Children: Effects on Health and Time

In many communities, women and children spend more time on household chores and collecting the cooking fuel or the wood, increasing their exposure to smoke. Due to this reason, they bear a disproportionate share of the health burden from household air pollution. Gathering fuel can cause physical exhaustion and musculoskeletal injuries. For women and children, it can also eat away valuable time that could go toward education, paid work, childcare or other productive activities.

Connection Between Cooking and Poverty

The International Energy Agency reported that Kenya increased clean-cooking access from 10% in 2013 to 31% in 2023. However, 69% of households still relied on polluting fuels. In rural areas, 84% of households used traditional biomass stoves, and 79% of rural households used three-stone stoves. More than 60% of Kenyan households spent at least 7.5 hours per week collecting and preparing fuel. These fuel-collection demands can create a burden for households with limited financial resources, especially in rural areas where access to clean cooking remains low.

Pay-as-You-Go LPG in Nairobi

One approach to this problem comes from Nairobi, Kenya. Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) LPG systems allow households to purchase cooking fuel in smaller increments instead of paying the entire cost upfront.

Making Transition Easier

Nairobi families faced difficulty affording LPG because traditional cylinders need a large upfront payment. PAYG technology allowed families to buy fuels in smaller increments through smart mobile payments.

Results of Pay-as-You-Go LPG System

The PAYG LPG program addresses the high upfront cost that can make clean cooking fuels difficult to adopt for lower-income households. The program has displayed measurable results. Researchers analyzed data from 426 PayGo Energy customers in Nairobi from January 2018 to June 2020. During COVID-19, 95% of customers who were active at the beginning of the lockdown continued using PAYG LPG. LPG consumption among the households increased from 1.12 to 1.22 kilograms per person per month, while the number of daily cooking events increased by 60%. The same WHO report compared these households with a group in Eldoret that did not have access to PAYG meters. Those households, which had to purchase LPG in larger quantities, reduced their average LPG use by 75% during lockdown.

Making Clean Cooking More Accessible

The Nairobi case does not mean that PAYG LPG will work identically in every community. The system addresses affordability by allowing households to purchase LPG in smaller increments. Other communities may require different strategies based on their infrastructure, resources and needs.

A Healthier Way Forward

Clean cooking connects several global development priorities, including health, economic opportunity and poverty reduction. However, expanding clean cooking access requires more than introducing a new technology. Communities need solutions that families can afford, access reliably and incorporate into their daily lives. When the transition is made easier, clean cooking can be a part of every family’s daily lives.

– Lalitha Maddirevula

Lalitha is based in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, US and focuses on Technology and Solutions, and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons