Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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Small Countries Reducing Poverty

small country reducing povertyWhen people discuss global poverty reduction, they often focus on large economies like China or India. However, several smaller nations have achieved remarkable progress through targeted social programs, strong public investment and people-centered development strategies. These examples show how small countries reducing poverty can create meaningful change despite limited resources.

Many of these nations prioritize health care, education, environmental sustainability and social protection. Their success demonstrates that governments do not need massive populations or global economic dominance to improve quality of life and reduce poverty.

Costa Rica: Prioritizing People Over Military Spending

Costa Rica stands out as one of the strongest examples of a small country reducing poverty through long-term social investment. In 1948, Costa Rica abolished its military and redirected funding toward education, health care and public welfare.

This decision helped create one of the most stable social systems in Latin America. According to the World Bank, Costa Rica built a health care system that covers nearly the entire population while also maintaining high literacy and life expectancy rates.

Costa Rica also invested heavily in rural electrification, clean water access and environmental protection. The country now generates most of its electricity from renewable energy sources, which supports sustainable economic growth.

These policies reduced poverty while improving public health and economic opportunity. Costa Rica proves that governments can strengthen human development when they prioritize social investment over military expansion.

Uruguay: Building Strong Social Protection Systems

Another example of a small country reducing poverty is Uruguay. Although Uruguay has a relatively small population, it developed one of the strongest welfare systems in Latin America. The government expanded pensions, unemployment support and health care coverage while increasing access to education. Uruguay also implemented labor protections that strengthened wages and worker rights.

According to the Center for Economic and Policy Research, Uruguay consistently ranks among the countries with the lowest poverty and inequality levels in the region.

Uruguay’s economic strategy also focused on inclusion. Rather than concentrating growth among elites, policymakers expanded benefits to lower-income households and rural communities. This approach increased economic stability and reduced vulnerability during financial downturns.

The country demonstrates how democratic institutions and social spending can help small nations achieve lasting poverty reduction.

Bhutan: Progress Beyond Economic Growth

Bhutan offers a unique insight into how small countries reduce poverty as it measures national success differently from most countries. Instead of focusing only on Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Bhutan promotes the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH). This concept emphasizes sustainable development, cultural preservation, environmental conservation and good governance. While Bhutan still faces economic challenges, the country has significantly reduced poverty over the last two decades.

According to the World Bank, Bhutan reduced poverty from 23.2% in 2007 to 8.2% in 2017 through investments in infrastructure, agriculture and social services.

Bhutan expanded road networks, improved rural health care access and increased school enrollment across remote communities. Hydropower exports also generated revenue that supported public programs.

This country’s development model shows that economic progress does not need to come at the expense of environmental sustainability or social well-being.

Mauritius: Diversifying Economy

Mauritius transformed itself from a low-income agricultural economy into an upper-middle-income country through diversification and investment in human capital. During the ’60s, many predicted economic difficulties because Mauritius relied heavily on sugar exports. However, the government expanded into tourism, manufacturing and financial services while investing in education and infrastructure.

The World Bank credits Mauritius with maintaining strong growth and reducing poverty through inclusive economic reform.

Mauritius also developed trade partnerships and encouraged foreign investment, which created jobs and increased income opportunities. Free education and health care strengthened social mobility and supported long-term development.

The country’s success demonstrates how smaller economies can adapt and compete globally through strategic planning and inclusive growth, moving itself away from the effects of poverty.

Important Lessons from Small Nations

The successes of these countries reveal several patterns behind small countries reducing poverty: Governments invested in health care and education. Leaders prioritized long-term human development. Social protection systems supported vulnerable populations. Economic growth reached rural and low-income communities. Policymakers emphasized sustainability and inclusion.

These nations also adapted policies to fit local conditions rather than copying outside models without modification. These examples are important to highlight because they demonstrate that poverty reduction remains available with the right policies and political commitment.

Global poverty still affects hundreds of millions of people, but the achievements of these smaller nations provide hope and practical guidance for others to follow. As governments continue to work toward the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), these examples of small countries reducing poverty remind the world that size does not determine impact. Strong social policies, inclusive economic growth and investment in people can help nations build a more equitable future.

– 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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Updates on SDG 1 in Yemen

SDG 1 in YemenSustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1 aims to end poverty in all its forms by 2030. Recent updates on SDG 1 in Yemen reveal both significant challenges and encouraging progress. More than a decade of conflict has damaged the country’s economy, increased food insecurity and left millions of Yemenis in need of humanitarian assistance. Despite these obstacles, international organizations and local partners continue to implement programs that strengthen livelihoods, improve resilience and help communities move toward long-term poverty reduction.

According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), approximately 80% of Yemen’s population lives below the poverty line. Before the conflict escalated in 2015, poverty affected roughly half of the population. Years of violence, economic instability and disruptions to public services have pushed millions more Yemenis into poverty. Poverty in Yemen also intersects with hunger, displacement and unemployment. Families who lose income often struggle to afford food, while conflict and economic hardship have displaced millions and limited access to stable employment opportunities.

Poverty Challenges Continue Across Yemen

Yemen remains one of the world’s most fragile states. The World Bank reported that economic pressures intensified throughout 2025 as inflation rose and household purchasing power declined. Food prices increased significantly in many areas, making it difficult for families to afford basic necessities. Humanitarian organizations also faced funding shortages, limiting the amount of aid available to vulnerable communities.

The United Nations estimated that more than 17 million Yemenis faced hunger in 2025, while more than 1 million children suffered from acute malnutrition. These conditions continue to hinder progress toward SDG 1 and threaten the well-being of millions of people.

The ERRY Program Builds Rural Resilience

One of the most successful poverty-reduction initiatives in Yemen is the Enhanced Rural Resilience in Yemen (ERRY) Joint Programme. The European Union and the Government of Sweden funded the program, while UNDP, FAO, WFP and ILO implemented it through partnerships with local organizations.

From 2016 to 2025, ERRY operated in 37 districts across eight governorates. The program combined livelihood support, food security projects, local governance initiatives and employment opportunities. According to UNDP, ERRY reached more than 2.1 million people through direct and indirect interventions.

The program focused on helping communities generate income rather than relying solely on emergency assistance. It supported farmers, created jobs, strengthened local institutions and increased resilience to climate-related shocks. By investing in long-term recovery, ERRY advanced several targets under SDG 1 while helping communities rebuild their economic foundations.

The impact of the program extends beyond statistics. In a UNDP case study, Abeer, a young photographer in Taiz Governorate transformed her passion into a profession after receiving training and a start-up grant through the ERRY program. She now earns an income by photographing local events and stories. Her experience illustrates how livelihood programs can help Yemenis build sustainable sources of income and reduce dependence on humanitarian assistance.

Urban Development Projects Create Economic Opportunities

Infrastructure investments have also contributed to poverty reduction efforts. Through the Yemen Integrated Urban Services Emergency Project, UNOPS and the World Bank restored critical services while creating employment opportunities for local residents.

By the end of 2025, the project had improved services for more than 4.5 million people. Workers rehabilitated nearly 240 kilometers of roads and more than 301,000 meters of water and sanitation networks. The initiative also generated more than 1.4 million labor days of employment, providing income for thousands of households.

These investments address immediate community needs while strengthening local economies. Improved transportation, reliable services and temporary employment help families increase income and access essential resources.

Looking Ahead for SDG 1

Although Yemen continues to face severe economic and humanitarian challenges, recent updates on SDG 1 in Yemen highlight the impact of targeted development programs. Initiatives such as the ERRY Joint Programme and the Yemen Integrated Urban Services Emergency Project demonstrate how international partnerships can support poverty reduction even in fragile environments.

These programs have already reached millions of Yemenis through job creation, livelihood support and improved public services. While substantial work remains before Yemen can fully achieve SDG 1, ongoing investments in resilience and economic recovery offer a path toward a more stable future. Continued support from development organizations, donors and local communities can help ensure that more Yemeni families escape poverty and build sustainable livelihoods in the years ahead.

– Angela Qi

Angela is based in Beijing, China and focuses on Business and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pxhere

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The UN’s Mission of Eradicating Extreme Global Poverty

extreme global povertyMedia coverage often frames global instability as inevitable, spreading the idea that the conditions of global poverty are beyond the reach of policy and action. However, organizations like the United Nations (U.N.) and the World Bank offer a more hopeful approach to this matter. The U.N. has created a mission to end poverty called Sustainable Development Goal 1, with the aim of eradicating extreme poverty by 2030. Since its creation in 2015, it has shifted from a charity-driven initiative to a systematic blueprint essential for the global economy.

The Basis

For many years, a country’s success has often been defined by its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Yet, as noted in the Beyond GDP report, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres points out that when people look at a country’s growth, they ignore the people that the growth is actually meant to help. The U.N. has recently launched the Global Dashboard, which measures progress from an environmental and human rights approach. In other words, a country’s growth does not simply rely on its factories but on citizens’ access to gender equity, technology and clean water.

Social Protection Achievement

This year, a landmark achievement was confirmed by the International Labour Organization (ILO). According to Global Issues, more than half of the world’s population now receives at least one form of social protection benefit for the first time on record. These social protection benefits range from child allowances for struggling families to pensions for people living in rural villages. The U.N. strives to extend this social protection and emphasize that financial security is not a luxury but an essential human right. The U.N.’s Pact for the Future report outlines goals including promoting universal health coverage, increasing access to quality and inclusive education and improving opportunities for decent work and universal access to social protection.

This milestone is particularly significant in sub-Saharan Africa, where social protection implementation has historically been slower and less effective than in other regions. Nations such as Ghana, Ethiopia and Kenya have expanded their cash transfer programs over the years, reaching millions of families.

A New Approach To Extreme Global Poverty

The World Bank recently updated its Multidimensional Poverty Measure (MPM) with the aim of defining extreme poverty not through income but through access. According to a U.N. report, the international poverty line was raised from $2.15 in 2017 purchasing power parity to $3.00 in 2021 purchasing power parity, meaning anyone living on less than $3.00 a day is considered extremely poor. The new standard urges countries to expand access to education, sanitation and electricity, placing a strong emphasis on the standard of living.

The new framework increases pressure on governments in sub-Saharan Africa to expand basic services such as electricity, sanitation and education, rather than focusing solely on income levels.

Looking Ahead

The World Bank shows that the extreme global poverty rate is around 10%, a significant decrease from the past, though hundreds of millions of people continue to struggle. The frameworks set by the World Bank and the U.N. represent new approaches for addressing these disparities and offer a roadmap for sustained progress in the years ahead.

– Hasini Muddapu

Hasini is based in Princeton, NJ, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Poverty Reduction in Mongolia Through Social Protection Programs

Poverty Reduction in MongoliaMongolia has made significant progress in reducing poverty and inequality through its social protection programs. In 2022, the country’s tax and social assistance system reduced the national poverty rate by 1.8 percentage points and lowered income inequality by nine Gini points.

However, challenges remain, with 27.8% of the population living below the poverty line. The government continues to implement policies to support vulnerable households and improve financial security.

The Child Money Program

One of Mongolia’s most impactful social assistance programs is the Child Money Program (CMP), which provides financial support to households with children. Under the program, children receive a monthly payment of MNT 100,000 (approximately $30), deposited into an account registered in their name.

The benefit helps families cover everyday expenses and provides additional financial support for children’s needs. Today, the CMP remains one of Mongolia’s most significant social protection measures. According to a 2025 World Bank Commitment to Equity assessment, direct transfers reduce Mongolia’s poverty rate by 14.1 percentage points, with the CMP accounting for more than half of that impact, highlighting its important role in supporting vulnerable households.

The Food Support Program

Another important part of Mongolia’s social protection system is the Food Support Program (FSP), which assists low-income households. The program is particularly effective at reaching the country’s poorest populations. Although the FSP operates on a smaller scale and provides more limited benefits than some other social assistance programs, it plays an important role in ensuring support reaches those most in need.

In 2020, food stamps benefited 240,500 Mongolians, including more than 118,000 children. Women and girls made up 53% of recipients.

After revisions in 2025, the program more specifically targets those with the most urgent needs, and monthly support for low-income households, especially those with children, has increased. By targeting vulnerable households, the program helps strengthen financial security and the country’s overall efforts for poverty reduction in Mongolia.

Current Poverty Reduction Efforts

In March 2026, Mongolia launched the National Initiative to Support Household Employment and Reduce Poverty, a program designed to help low-income households achieve financial stability by addressing issues such as limited access to education, low labor force participation and poor health and living conditions. This will be done through microloans, support for agricultural production, new contributors to social insurance and other targeted services. The government is working with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to reach 5,000 low-income households in 2026.

By increasing employment opportunities and providing targeted assistance to vulnerable populations, the initiative seeks to improve household incomes and independence. These efforts reflect Mongolia’s commitment to strengthening financial security and reducing poverty across the country.

Looking Ahead

While poverty remains a challenge, Mongolia’s social protection programs continue to provide essential support to vulnerable households. Through initiatives that strengthen financial security and opportunity, these efforts are helping to advance poverty reduction in Mongolia and build greater economic resilience for families across the country

– Michelle Kurniali

Michelle is based in Dallas, TX, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Everything You Need to Know About Hunger in Venezuela

HUNGER IN VENEZUELAFor years, empty shelves, shortages and long lines outside grocery stores defined Venezuela’s food crisis. While scarcity was once a visible sign of the country’s economic collapse, the current reality is more complex. In many cities, supermarkets and local markets now have food available. However, availability does not always mean access. Hunger in Venezuela is now largely an affordability crisis: food may be present, but millions of families cannot consistently afford a nutritious diet.

The Affordability Crisis Behind Hunger in Venezuela

The central issue is the gap between wages, inflation and the cost of food. In 2026, Venezuela’s official minimum wage remained fixed at 130 bolivars per month, while the government announced that monthly minimum income would rise to $240 through a system that includes bonuses. However, this income structure remains uncertain for many workers because bonuses do not always function as a formal salary increase. At the same time, the cost of a basic family basket remains far higher than regular income for many households.

The Associated Press reported that Venezuela’s monthly minimum wage of 130 bolivars was worth less than $1 in dollar terms in 2025. Even with government stipends, many public sector workers survived on roughly $160 per month, while the average private sector employee earned about $237, according to the independent Venezuelan Observatory of Finances. At the same time, the cost of a basic food basket exceeded $500. This means that even families with some income may still struggle to buy enough food.

As a result, families buy less food, choose cheaper and less nutritious products, skip meals or depend on credit from small local stores. In some communities, corner stores have become a survival tool because families can buy food on credit and pay later when they receive wages, stipends or support from relatives. This shows how hunger in Venezuela is not only about food supply, but also about purchasing power.

Poverty and Nutrition

Food prices make access to protein especially difficult. When prices rise, families often reduce or eliminate foods such as chicken, beef, eggs, milk and cheese. Many households rely on cheaper and more filling foods, including rice, pasta, corn flour, bread and beans. These foods may help prevent immediate hunger, but they do not always provide the nutrients needed for long-term health. Eating something is not the same as being well nourished.

This distinction is key to understanding hunger in Venezuela. Many families may not be completely without food, but they live with incomplete, repetitive and nutrient-poor diets. Health experts cited by the Associated Press explained that families reduce or eliminate animal protein first when prices increase. Poor nutrition can contribute to stunting, headaches, fatigue and other health problems in children.

The 2025 National Survey of Living Conditions, known as ENCOVI, found that 68.5% of Venezuelan households remained in income poverty, underscoring the close relationship between poverty and food insecurity. The survey also found that one in three households did not have enough food. These figures show that hunger in Venezuela is rooted not only in food prices, but also in the persistent poverty that limits families’ ability to buy a balanced diet.

Children and School Meals

Children are among the most vulnerable. Limited access to protein and other essential nutrients can affect children’s growth, immune health and cognitive development. Hunger can also affect their ability to attend school, concentrate in class and perform academically. The Associated Press reported cases of students skipping school or struggling during the school day because they had not eaten enough.

ENCOVI 2025 found that only 29% of schools with a school feeding program served food every day. For some children, a meal at school may be one of the few reliable sources of food during the day. When school feeding programs are reduced, irregular or unavailable, the impact goes beyond nutrition. It can also affect attendance, academic performance and future opportunities.

In a country where many families cannot consistently afford breakfast or lunch, school meals help protect both health and education. They also show why food security is closely tied to poverty reduction: when children eat regularly, they are better positioned to learn, stay in school and build long-term opportunities.

Basic Services and Food Insecurity

The deterioration of basic services also exacerbates hunger in Venezuela. ENCOVI 2025 found that only 10% of Venezuelans had continuous electricity and only 19% of households had continuous running water. These conditions make it harder for families to store, prepare and cook food. Even when a household manages to buy groceries, it may still face obstacles to cooking beans, refrigerating perishable products or maintaining safe hygiene.

Low income, weak public services, limited school attendance and poor access to food reinforce one another. In many cases, students miss school because there is no water, no electricity, no transportation, no food at home or because teachers are absent. Hunger in Venezuela is therefore not only a nutrition issue; it is also connected to education, infrastructure and long-term development.

A Recent Emergency Raises New Food Needs

The earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela on June 24, 2026, added new pressure to a country already facing severe food insecurity. Reuters reported that the twin earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, devastated parts of La Guaira state and that the government had confirmed at least 1,943 deaths by June 30. The full scale of the disaster remains uncertain, but aid workers have warned that displacement, damaged infrastructure and disrupted markets are deepening humanitarian needs, including access to food, clean water and health care.

The disaster does not change the underlying causes of hunger in Venezuela, but it makes them more urgent. Families who were already struggling with low wages, weak public services and limited access to nutritious food now face additional barriers when homes, markets, roads and local businesses are damaged. WFP USA reported that homes, markets and food supplies in La Guaira were devastated, leaving families with little or nothing to eat. The organization said it is expanding emergency food assistance to reach up to 500,000 people in the hardest-hit areas.

Humanitarian and Community Responses

Despite these challenges, humanitarian and community-based efforts continue to provide relief. The World Food Programme (WFP) supports school meal programs in vulnerable communities across Venezuela. According to WFP, its school meals program reaches more than 330,000 people across more than 1,100 schools, including students with disabilities. WFP also reports that the program helps boost school enrollment and attendance while providing essential nourishment for children.

The recent earthquake response also shows the importance of rapid food assistance. WFP USA reported that WFP already had more than 3,000 metric tons of food in Venezuela, enough to support more than 10,000 families for two months, and that it is bringing in additional supplies. Reuters also reported that WFP is seeking $50 million to feed 500,000 people affected by the earthquakes. These figures show how existing humanitarian networks can respond quickly when an emergency increases food needs.

However, funding shortages threaten these efforts. El País reported that WFP’s operation in Venezuela was reduced from 11 states to four: Delta Amacuro, Sucre, Zulia and Falcón. The same report stated that 7.9 million Venezuelans needed humanitarian assistance in 2025, while WFP had only 15% of the funds needed to assist its target population of 5.1 million. In the area of nutrition and food security, funding reached only 7% of what was required.

These numbers show both the value and the vulnerability of humanitarian programs. School meals, emergency food distributions and nutrition support can make a measurable difference for children and families, but funding gaps limit their reach. When organizations have adequate resources, they can help families meet immediate needs while supporting children’s health, education and stability.

Local initiatives also play an important role. Churches, community groups, volunteers and family networks help support vulnerable people through food donations, community kitchens and informal aid. After the earthquakes, Venezuelans inside and outside the country quickly organized donation drives and supply networks. The Associated Press reported that Venezuelan communities in the United States collected medicine, water and food, while Reuters reported that international aid included rescue teams, medical supplies, field hospitals, food distribution and emergency funding from several countries and humanitarian partners. Pope Leo XIV also sent emergency aid through the Vatican’s charity fund.

These efforts do not solve the structural causes of hunger, but they provide immediate relief for families who cannot meet their daily food needs. In many communities, this local and international support has become essential for children, older adults, displaced families and households without stable income.

Looking Ahead

The situation in Venezuela shows that food security depends on more than the physical availability of food. It also requires sufficient income, stable public services and consistent support for the most vulnerable households. When families can see food on the shelves but cannot afford to buy it, the crisis remains real.

The earthquakes of June 2026 make that reality even clearer. A sudden disaster can quickly turn an affordability crisis into an emergency food crisis, especially when families already lack savings, reliable services and stable income. Yet the response also shows that humanitarian systems, local volunteers and the Venezuelan diaspora can mobilize quickly when communities need help.

School feeding programs, emergency food distributions, nutrition support and humanitarian aid can help reduce the short-term impact of food insecurity. At the same time, improving household income, strengthening basic services and expanding access to nutritious food are essential for lasting progress.

Continued international cooperation and local action can help protect vulnerable communities and support a more food-secure future for Venezuelan children and families. Hunger in Venezuela remains a serious challenge, but targeted assistance, stronger school feeding programs, emergency relief and sustained support for basic services offer practical ways to reduce its impact and protect the next generation.

– Adriana Carolina Herrera

Adriana lives in Mentor, OH, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Language Barriers and Indigenous Migrants in Mexico City

Woman in colorful clothing stands against a gray wall, reflecting Indigenous culture. Indigenous Migrants in Mexico CityIn Mexico, 38.5 million people lived in multidimensional poverty in 2024, and more than 8.3 million people recently moved out of poverty between 2022 and 2024. While those figures are alarming, the uneven spread of poverty is perhaps more concerning. Indigenous communities continue to face deeper exclusion, and in Mexico City, the pressure becomes practical when schools, shelters and support systems are not equipped to meet people in their language. For Indigenous migrants in Mexico City, language is tied to housing, schooling, paperwork and whether asking for help feels possible at all.

Indigenous Education Support Program

The Indigenous Education Support Program aims to address this issue. It provides lodging, food and educational support for Indigenous and Afro-Mexican children and young people, while also strengthening cultural identity. It is geared partly toward students who do not have the option of continuing school in their own communities. In a city where language can become another line of exclusion, support of this kind can keep younger people in school while preserving ties to community and identity that urban life can erode quickly.

Shelter Support

The same pressure appears in shelters. Reporting from the Latin America Working Group describes how CAFEMIN works with women, children and family groups arriving in Mexico City under increasingly difficult conditions. A shelter coordinator describes current arrivals as “forced migration” shaped by violence rather than only economic need. That phrase captures the pressure many families experience before they even reach the city. Many families are not only poor when they arrive, but they have also been uprooted, and the instability that follows them into the city can turn every form, question and office into another barrier. Under those conditions, legal guidance, daily care and help with paperwork are essential for people to find their footing.

SOS Children’s Villages

A measurable example can be found at SOS Children’s Villages Mexico City, which has worked in the city since 1971. According to the organization, 40 children and young people grow up in its care, 20 young people are supported on the way to independence and 30 people can take part in its various training programs. Its work extends beyond emergency response and includes education, training and family support intended to keep households together. For families already trying to navigate the city from a position of insecurity, help of this kind can narrow the distance between a family and the services it is trying to reach.

Looking Ahead

None of these efforts erase the barriers that Indigenous migrants face in Mexico City, and none solve poverty on their own. Still, they make the city easier to navigate. A place to stay, help remaining in school and support that treats families as more than a case file can soften the force of language barriers, even when those barriers remain. Mexico City is still difficult for many underrepresented families, but the programs in place suggest that services do not have to remain distant or impersonal. They can be made more reachable, more legible and more humane.

– Elliott J Carter

Elliott is based in Mexico City, Mexico and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Project AI Evidence: 3 Ways This Initiative Tackles Poverty

Project AI EvidencePeople often consider AI a groundbreaking technology that is set to reshape lives in the future, both near and far. In recent times, the technology has drawn increased scrutiny due to its harmful effects, such as its water consumption, disruption of the job market and myriad other issues.

One initiative seeking to reap the benefits of AI is Project AI Evidence (PAIE), which the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) at MIT launched in February 2026. The initiative connects governments, NGOs and tech companies with experts in fields such as economics at MIT. This article outlines three ways Project AI Evidence is working to lift people out of poverty.

1. Closing Gaps in the Classroom

Kenya’s education system faces deep challenges that make personalized learning especially valuable. According to UNICEF, the pupil-to-teacher ratio reaches 77 to one in counties such as Turkana, and roughly nine in 10 children from poor households fail to complete eighth grade. The country also contends with a teacher deficit of more than 90,000, overcrowded classrooms and stark regional inequalities in learning outcomes. Against this backdrop, tools that help teachers tailor instruction to individual students could reshape how millions of children learn.

The education social enterprise EIDU has developed an AI tool in Kenya that caters classroom teaching to the individual needs of students. The tool identifies gaps in student learning and flags areas that require more attention. EIDU’s platform combines structured pedagogy with digital personalized learning content, and the organization has agreements with 46 out of 47 Kenyan counties to provide the platform to all pre-primary schools, with a goal of reaching two million learners by 2026. In India, the NGO Pratham has incorporated AI into its evidence-informed “Teaching at the Right Level” approach to expand personalized learning. J-PAL researchers Daron Acemoglu, Iqbal Dhaliwal and Francisco Gallego will lead studies evaluating both cases, measuring key outcomes such as teacher productivity and student learning.

2. Classroom Gender Bias Reduction

In Italy, researchers are collaborating with the Ministry of Education to test whether AI tools can address classroom gender bias. The research targets gaps in student performance and the subconscious bias educators may hold toward their students based on gender. Project AI Evidence is studying two tools. One helps teachers predict student performance, while the other provides real-time feedback on the diversity of teachers’ classroom decisions.

3. Use of AI in Finding Job Opportunities

Returning to Kenya, the stakes for youth employment are considerable. The Federation of Kenya Employers reports that young people aged 15 to 34 make up roughly 35% of the population but face an unemployment rate of nearly 67%, about five times the national average. More than 1 million young Kenyans enter the labor market each year, many without the skills employers seek. The World Bank places the narrower youth unemployment rate for those aged 15 to 24 at 15.25% in 2025.

Jasmin Baier and J-PAL researcher Christian Meyer, in collaboration with NGOs Swahilipot and Tabiya, are evaluating a career guidance AI tool called Compass. Tabiya has launched Compass as an open-source chatbot that helps job seekers explore and articulate their skills, including those gained through informal work. The tool is designed to recognize capabilities from both formal and informal work experiences and to match job seekers with opportunities suited to their actual skill sets. Pilot programs are running in Kenya, South Africa and Ethiopia, and more than 600 youth on Kenya’s coast have already received training in soft skills and AI through Swahilipot’s programs to boost job prospects. The J-PAL evaluation will measure how the tool changes job search strategies and employment outcomes. The research aims to aid career counsellors rather than replace them.

Why Poverty Is at the Heart of the Initiative

The three projects share a common thread. Each targets a country where poverty, education and employment reinforce one another. In Italy, absolute poverty reached 5.7 million people in 2024, according to the national statistics agency ISTAT. The divide is sharply regional. Households in absolute poverty reached 10.5% in the South compared with 6.5% in the Center, and ISTAT’s data show that the incidence falls significantly as the educational qualification of the household reference person rises. Italian children and young people have borne much of the burden, with more than 1.28 million minors in absolute poverty.

In Kenya, the picture is even starker. According to UNICEF, approximately 1.13 million children of primary school age are not enrolled in school, and hidden costs such as uniforms push many families out of the system entirely. A 2024 peer-reviewed study published in Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education found that the financial burden of school uniforms was among the largest contributors to dropout decisions in Kenya. Access to higher education remains deeply constrained: the World Bank puts Kenya’s tertiary enrollment ratio at around 10% of the relevant age group, and many graduates still find their skills misaligned with labor market needs. Education and employment form a tight loop. Without schooling, young people struggle to find dignified work, and without work, families cannot break cycles of poverty that keep the next generation out of school.

By targeting both ends of this loop, personalizing classroom instruction and connecting job seekers to overlooked opportunities, Project AI Evidence attempts to address poverty at the points where AI tools can realistically intervene.

Conclusion

As AI expands its reach into most facets of modern society, research such as that conducted at Project AI Evidence aims to highlight the positive effects the technology can have on issues such as poverty alleviation through better education, reducing gender-based bias and surfacing job opportunities. Funders, including Google.org, Community Jameel, Canada’s International Development Research Centre, U.K. International Development and Amazon Web Services, provide strong financial backing to expand the research and potentially implement further tools.

J-PAL plans to expand its reach and connect with governments across the globe. The organization aims to achieve its goals responsibly through data-driven scientific measures. With tools such as these, policymakers can draw on new evaluations to address the myriad issues that pertain to global poverty in the years ahead.

– Jamie Noone

Jamie is based in Dublin, Ireland and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Poverty Reduction in Belize Shows Continued Progress

Poverty Reduction in BelizeBelize has recorded notable gains in poverty reduction in recent years. Data from the Statistical Institute of Belize show that the country’s multidimensional poverty rate fell from 22.1% in 2024 to 19.1% in 2025, which means that more than 13,000 fewer people lived in multidimensional poverty. Even with this progress, some regions of the country continue to experience higher levels of deprivation, and government initiatives and targeted social programs remain essential to sustaining and deepening these gains.

Poverty reduction in Belize is a central goal of #PlanBelize, the country’s Medium-Term Development Strategy for 2022-2026, which the government launched in January 2023. In line with this plan, the government has increasingly turned to data-informed policies and carefully targeted social programs to address poverty, improve living conditions and expand opportunities for vulnerable communities. Policymakers use instruments such as the Multidimensional Poverty Index, the BOOST cash transfer program and investments through the Basic Needs Trust Fund as key tools to support recent improvements.

Using Data To Guide Poverty Reduction

A central feature of poverty reduction in Belize is the use of the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), which looks beyond income to provide a more complete picture of well-being. The MPI tracks deprivations in areas such as education, employment, health and living standards. This approach reveals where and how people experience exclusion. The Statistical Institute of Belize highlights the MPI as an important tool for designing and monitoring targeted interventions.

Over the past several years, Belize has increasingly woven MPI evidence into policy decisions. According to the Multidimensional Poverty Peer Network, the country has gathered MPI data annually since 2021 and uses the results to identify pockets of persistent poverty and guide where officials direct additional support most urgently. Between 2021 and 2024, the proportion of people experiencing multidimensional poverty fell from 36.5% to 22.1%. While multiple factors contributed to this progress, the regular use of MPI data has helped policymakers better target poverty-reduction efforts.

Programs Supporting Vulnerable Communities

At the household level, Belize’s flagship social protection initiative is the BOOST program, a cash transfer initiative for families in vulnerable communities. The program provides income support and encourages continued access to education and health services. In 2025, UNICEF partnered with the Government of Belize to help strengthen the broader social protection system, including updates to BOOST. Policymakers designed these changes to make the program more responsive during emergencies, economic slowdowns and other shocks that can quickly push families deeper into poverty.

In 2026, the government increased BOOST funding from $3 million to $5 million. Human Development Minister Thea Garcia-Ramirez said the larger budget will help the program reach more vulnerable Belizeans, including single-parent households, older adults and people with disabilities. She highlighted how one family can count as several program participants when multiple children receive support, underscoring how many people the expansion will help.

The Basic Needs Trust Fund Eleventh Programme, or BNTF11, also contributes to poverty reduction in Belize. In July 2025, the Caribbean Development Bank approved a $5.19 million grant in support of the initiative. BNTF11 channels resources into education and training, water and sanitation systems, community infrastructure and livelihood development. By focusing on low-income and vulnerable communities, the program aims to improve everyday living conditions and create more sustainable opportunities for economic advancement.

Challenges Remain

Despite overall improvements, poverty remains unevenly distributed across Belize. The 2025 MPI report shows that 27.8% of people living in rural areas experienced multidimensional poverty, compared with 6.5% in urban areas. The Toledo District recorded the highest incidence of multidimensional poverty at 59.5%. These findings give policymakers concrete information as they target poverty reduction efforts in the communities that need them most.

The MPI also highlights specific groups at greater risk. Larger households and those with lower levels of educational achievement face a higher likelihood of experiencing poverty. Households with seven or more members had a multidimensional poverty rate of 45.2%, while households headed by individuals with no completed education recorded a poverty rate of 47.9%. Although these families continue to face higher levels of deprivation, initiatives such as BOOST and BNTF11 aim to widen access to services, income opportunities and essential infrastructure.

Taken together, these trends indicate that poverty reduction in Belize has made real, measurable progress in reducing multidimensional poverty, even as important gaps persist. The use of tools like the Multidimensional Poverty Index gives policymakers a clearer view of who faces the greatest risks and what types of support people require. Programs including BOOST and BNTF11 then translate that information into concrete action in communities across the country. 

Looking Ahead

Going forward, efforts to sustain and expand these gains will likely depend on keeping data at the center of decision-making while continuing to invest in people and places that current growth patterns leave behind—particularly rural areas, larger households and those with limited access to education. Continued commitment to targeted, evidence-based policies offers a path to ensure that the benefits of Belize’s development reach families who are still living with higher rates of poverty and deprivation.

– Lily Hoch

Lily is based in Midway, PA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Projected GDP Growth Could Stabilize Poverty in Moldova

Poverty in moldovaAccording to data from the World Bank and the United Nations (U.N.), Moldova is currently the poorest country in Europe based on its GDP and percentage of citizens living below the poverty line. One primary reason for the widespread poverty in Moldova is the Russo-Ukrainian War. Moldova has taken in the highest rate per capita of Ukrainian refugees since the start of the war, an estimated 131,000 as of May 2025. Project Hope reports that more than 1 million Ukrainian refugees have crossed the Moldovan border, but only about 148,000 have remained. The population of Moldova now sits at 2.96 million according to the U.N., but it has endured a steady decline as citizens continue to emigrate to escape the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The Impact of the Russo-Ukrainian War on Moldova

International relief efforts in Moldova have been increasing due to escalations in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Created in 1961, the World Food Programme (WFP) is the branch of the United Nations that deals with food assistance and is also the largest global nonprofit addressing poverty. It projects that the poverty rate in Moldova is now 33.6%, compared to 25% before the start of the Russo-Ukrainian War. This increase has negatively impacted Moldovans’ quality of life, access to food and shelter and the ability to provide for their families. Organizations from around the globe have stepped in to provide relief to those struggling in Moldova as a result of the conflict.

Relief for Moldovan Nationals and Ukrainian Refugees

In partnership with the Moldovan government and the U.N., the WFP has provided significant relief to both Ukrainian refugees at the Moldovan border and Moldovan families welcoming them. The WFP provides financial support to Ukrainian refugees and their host families across Moldova, as well as three hot meals a day in Ukrainian refugee accommodation centers. It describes its financial relief efforts: the WFP is working with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on a government initiative — the Provision of Emergency Cash Assistance to Crisis-Affected Populations and Integration of Shock Response into the National Social Protection System in Moldova — which provides emergency multipurpose cash to the most vulnerable Moldovans to cover their essential needs and promote social cohesion between refugees and Moldovans.

Project Hope is a nonprofit organization that focuses on improving access to health care in regions affected by disaster and conflict. Founded in 1958 in the United States, it is now an international organization. In partnership with The Moldova Project, Project Hope has helped establish nine child-friendly safe spaces to provide play spaces, education, mental health and integration services for Ukrainian children, parents and caregivers. These playrooms have supported more than 9,000 Ukrainian refugees and host community members. Project Hope has also supplied primary health care facilities in highly impacted areas such as the Ștefan Vodă, Florești and Telenești districts with supplies and equipment. In addition, Project Hope introduced mobile medical units across Moldova, which have treated approximately 4,000 patients who otherwise would have gone without medical attention. These units transport one doctor, nurse and driver to rural and underserved communities across Moldova.

Looking Ahead

As of June 3, 2026, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development projected that Moldova’s GDP will grow 2.8% in 2026 and another 3.5% in 2027. This growth results from increased performance in sectors such as agriculture and construction, as well as the economic stabilization recent relief efforts have brought. GDP growth is significantly linked to poverty reduction, as economic growth typically bolsters the incomes of every economic class. Although the poverty rate in Moldova is still approximately one-third, these new projections and parallel relief efforts for refugee assistance are beginning to alleviate its position as the most poverty-stricken country in Europe.

– Natalie Naylor

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

Photo: Unsplash

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Higher Education in Kazakhstan and its Transitioning Economy

Higher Education in KazakhstanHigher education in Kazakhstan, in more recent years, has reformed its systems with the support of the European Union, increasing enrollment rates in higher education. 

Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Kazakhstan has been a country in transition. This has not only affected its economy and central government but also its education system. As of 2024, more than half of children in primary education are unable to read and understand age-appropriate text. This created challenges in secondary education, which can reduce students’ motivation to pursue higher education.

Promoting Higher Education

After the fall of the Soviet Union, private schools expanded, but were later deemed to be of poor quality. During this time, the government controlled public schools and universities. Following the country’s independence, public universities introduced fees.

As Kazakhstan’s oil-driven economy grew, its need for higher education increased. This created a slight increase in enrollment in universities as employers demanded more skilled professionals. However, in recent years, employment rates among university graduates have remained low.

Driven by education reforms, the country’s 2050 Strategy pledged to diversify Kazakhstan’s economy. This strategy includes goals to improve the quality of teaching while providing access to higher education for poorer students. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has identified the need to “improve inclusion across regions and for vulnerable population groups.”

The Republic of Kazakhstan launched many bold internationalization goals within the implementation of the Academic Mobility Strategy in Kazakhstan 2012-2020. These goals focused on increasing the number of international students in Kazakhstan as well as the number of students studying abroad. To support these programs, Kazakhstan joined the Bologna Process. According to a WENR article, “The government has embraced educational reforms aimed at opening education provision to the free market.”

The European Union’s Help With Higher Education

Kazakhstan became part of the Bologna Process in 2010, which is making higher education in Kazakhstan more inclusive and accessible. The Bologna Process started with the Sorbonne and Bologna Declarations, which addressed the difficulties in the recognition of degrees in Europe. 

The Bologna Process consists of a three-cycle education system that includes bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. Among the 28 counties involved, there is an agreed system that creates a standard for qualifications and principles.

The Republic of Kazakhstan also incorporated the Paris Communiqué to create more inclusive learning approaches to learning to create more participation in higher education. The main focus of this implementation was to make university degrees more accessible to all citizens, especially those with lower representation.

When it comes to accessibility in lower-income households, the government does provide support to help improve access to primary and secondary education, but it does not target financial support for higher education. Only about 50% of students enrolled in universities in Kazakhstan receive financial support. Kazakhstan is currently introducing measures to help increase participation, but it has only adopted two of four proposed measures.

Another major program introduced to Kazakhstan was the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). This allows a way to transfer loans from one institution to another, specifically if a student studied abroad. According to the Independent Agency for Quality Assurance in Education, “Currently, this system plays an additional role in the accumulation of loans, the development, description and implementation of programs.”

Current Institutions in Kazakhstan

According to the admission quota, “64,300 people study in higher education institutions.” Of those enrolled in higher education, 45.1% are in attendance in public institutions, 54.1% attend private institutions, while the last 0.7% are enrolled in foreign universities. Students are accepted based on general secondary education, technical and vocational education, and on the basis of higher education.

There are different types of organizations offered for higher education in Kazakhstan. These include research universities, academies, conservatories as well as national research universities for postgraduate degrees. Research universities offer five-year programs approved by the government, while institutions considered National Organizations of Higher Education are granted special status.​

At the national level, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University holds the highest ratings for its educational programs. The institution has been ranked in the top 3% of the best universities in Asia. On a global level, the institution is ranked 166th due to its academic reputation, graduate employment and large share of foreign students and professors.

Working Towards the Future

​Although Kazakhstan is still in a transitional period, changes are still occurring to education in order to align their education system with international standards. Still today the country’s government is working on improvements to inclusion within higher education. Scholarship programs have played a major role in establishing international partnerships providing more opportunities.

Poverty continues to be a problem in the country, as factors such as aftershocks of COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine have affected employment and inflation. There is a correlation between poverty levels and the percentage of those enrolled in higher education. As of 2023, only 25% of the bottom 40% have post-secondary education, whereas 75% of the top 60% have higher education.

Looking Ahead

Improving education systems within the country is not only beneficial to their education rates, but also to their economy. As dependence on petroleum for the economy increased, so did pledges of diversification, leading to the many reforms that have expanded higher education. As the economy continues to grow, so do the rates of education within Kazakhstan.

– Jacquelyn Orr

Jacquelyn is based in Philadelphia, PA, USA and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons