, ,

Disability and Poverty in Saudi Arabia

Disability and Poverty in Saudi ArabiaWhile disability and poverty are not always directly linked, people with disabilities often face challenges in many areas of life. This article will put disability and poverty in Saudi Arabia under the spotlight, while considering challenges that those with disabilities may face, such as unemployment.

In 2021, 13.6% of the population in Saudi Arabia lived in poverty. Meanwhile, back in 2010, the poverty rate among the population was 18.2%. In this drop, about 483,000 people came out of poverty in Saudi Arabia.

Disability and Poverty in Saudi Arabia

About 7.1% of the Saudi population have some form of disability. However, according to the Saudi General Authority for Statistics, about 10% of the Saudi population reported some form of disability in 2017. In addition, a study showed that about 48.6% of men with disabilities are unemployed compared to 11.5% of men who do not have disabilities. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for women with disabilities is 75.3%, while the unemployment rate for women with disabilities is 32.8%. These statistics highlight the importance of understanding how disability intersects with wider economic and social problems, such as poverty.

People with disabilities face a higher risk of falling into poverty in Saudi Arabia. In most countries around the world, disabled people often rely on the support of their family. In Saudi Arabia, another factor that can cause a person to fall into poverty is a denial of certain opportunities and/or employment opportunities. For example, someone by the name of Mariam Al-Sulami had cerebral palsy, which affected her to the point that it prevented her from attending school everyday. But due to the high motivation and her high GPA and grades, she hoped to get into medicine and dreamed of becoming a doctor. Authorities rejected her medical school application, due to deeming her “medically unfit,” so that is when she decided to take up the path of studying business administration.

Promoting Inclusivity

Saudi Arabia’s ambition toward inclusivity for people with disabilities. The first ever legislation for people with disabilities in KSA passed in 1987. According to an article by Maher S. Al-Jadid, “The LD contains important provisions that assurance persons with disabilities rights equal to those of other people in society.” Additionally, the Tawafuq program is an employment program that ensures that people with disabilities get the employment they need. The Saudi Human Resources Development Fund launched the program in 2014, which is tasked with ensuring that people are able to receive employment opportunities and the support they need. Meanwhile, the Moowaama program aims to expand the number of companies capable of employing people with disabilities. The Mowaama program encourages private companies to help people with disabilities, and to consider it their duty to the country while making their workplaces more inclusive.

The Tawafuq program has registered more than 648,000 people with disabilities with 62,728 people with disabilities being placed into employment, among many other figures that displayed increasing employment for people with disabilities. On the other hand, the Moowaama program has no public number of hires disclosed but one can see its impact by the 150 companies earning Moowaama certifications, reaffirming its efforts into creating a workspace that is disability-inclusive.

Looking Ahead

Although there are still struggles and obstacles in the way of people experiencing disability and poverty in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi government has introduced programs to ensure people with disabilities can access the tools and opportunities to thrive.

– Majida Mohamed

Majida is based in Minneapolis, MN, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

, ,

Advances in Monitoring Air Pollution in Laos

Air Pollution in LaosLaos is one of the most polluted countries in Southeast Asia. However, it has implemented a wide-reaching air monitoring system, improving the data on real-time air quality.

What Causes Air Pollution in Laos

Numerous sources, including waste burning, vehicle emissions, forest fires, heavy industry and the widespread use of slash-and-burn agriculture, cause air pollution in Laos. Slash-and-burn agriculture is where land is cleared for planting by burning the existing forests in the area.

The region has a long history of using slash-and-burn agriculture and people consider it traditional and effective; however, it contributes significantly to air pollution in Laos.

Negative Effects of Air Pollution

Worldwide air pollution leads to about one in nine deaths. Being exposed to high levels of air pollution can lead to lung cancer, heart disease, respiratory infections and stroke. As well as an increased risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s. Air pollution also has economic impacts; in 2019, it accounted for the loss of 6.1% of the global gross domestic product (GDP).

Also, because air pollution causes sickness, it places extra burdens on health systems and can increase the national healthcare spending. Further, when kids miss school due to an air pollution-related illness, they miss valuable time in the classroom and their parents often have to take time off work to look after them. This impacts economic growth.

Poverty and Air Pollution

Living on less than $1.90 per day, 716 million people are exposed to unsafe levels of air pollution. Pollution levels are especially high in lower-middle-income countries, where economies often depend on highly polluting industries.

Low-income communities tend to be disproportionately exposed to unsafe air pollution levels, partly because they tend to have jobs that require them outside performing physical labor. When they get an air pollution-related illness, they also tend to have more limited access to good and affordable health care.

New Air Quality Monitors

The government is combating air pollution in Laos by installing new air quality sensors. So far, 148 schools across the country have installed sensors, ensuring coverage in every district. This provides authorities with localized, real-time data on air quality nationwide. Policymakers can use this data to shape long-term clean air strategies and take immediate actions, such as temporarily closing schools in areas with dangerous pollution levels.

Hands-on training for students, teachers and local officials accompanied the installation of the sensors. In the future, an AI-powered program will use the data collected from the sensors to provide real-time local air quality estimations for more than 8,500 villages in Laos. This will include areas that do not have on-site sensors.

Final Remarks

While air pollution in Laos remains a serious concern, the government’s investment in real-time monitoring marks a major step forward. With sensors now installed across every district and plans to expand AI-powered forecasting, Laos is better equipped to track pollution. Furthermore, this will allow the protection of public health and guide long-term environmental policy. Continued innovation and action will be essential to ensure cleaner air and a healthier future for all Laotians.

– Axtin Bullock

Axtin is based in Georgetown, MA, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

,

How Colombia’s New Labor Law Can Help Reduce Poverty

Colombia's new labor lawColombia’s new labor law, signed into effect by Colombian President Gustavo Petro on June 26, is intended to support workers’ rights by delivering job stability, increased benefits and ensured protections. While the law is popular among trade unions, it stalled in Colombia’s congress as the opposition claimed it would detriment employment and businesses. New benefits for workers are expected to increase costs for business owners, but providing workers with more power within their industries can reduce poverty.

Aims of Colombia’s New Labor Law

  • Workday and overtime reforms. The law redefines the standard workday as eight hours and caps overtime at two hours per day or 12 hours per week, ensuring that workers cannot be exploited with extended hours. Salaried workers’ overtime, Sunday and holiday pay will rise, with Sunday and holiday rates set to progressively increase from 75% to 100% over three years. In addition, employers will have to provide higher compensation for overnight work, which has been redefined as 7 p.m. to 6. a.m. For workers, these reforms will likely result in higher earnings for those in service sectors, retail, hospitality and logistics. At the same time, employers may see increased labor costs, especially for businesses relying heavily on late or weekend shifts.
  • Mandatory contracts. Colombia’s new labor law limits the use of short-term and fixed-term contract workers to encourage stable job growth and retention. Indefinite-term contracts will now be the standard, allowing workers to agree to a job for an undefined period. Fixed-term contracts will convert to an indefinite agreement if they extend more than four times or exceed a timespan of five years. This change will give employees more job stability and predictability, less flexibility for seasonal hiring and more long-term obligations for employers.
  • More benefits for gig workers. Employers will be required to provide gig-economy workers, like food delivery drivers, with medical coverage and social security benefits, in addition to formally classifying these workers as freelancers. Employers will be subject to higher compliance costs and restructuring of their business models. However, workers will be granted better access to health care, job protections and fairer treatment.
  • Supporting remote work. Provisions regarding telework in Colombia’s new labor law provide a connectivity allowance for remote workers who earn up to twice the minimum wage. Also, it requires companies, depending on their size, to offer remote work to their employees.
  • Emphasizing worker protections. Anti-discrimination laws were expanded with this bill and included pregnant women, disabled workers and employees nearing retirement. This enactment will help enhance diversity and equity in the workplace.
  • Uplifting community members and child care. Around 69,000 community mothers who provide care and education to children in their communities will be officially incorporated into Colombia’s Institute of Family Welfare. This state entity reaches around three million Colombians and provides support services for children and families. With this enactment, community mothers will have more state assistance and access to necessary resources. This is likely to positively impact the care they can provide the children under their supervision.&
  • Protecting students. According to the bill, student interns must be provided monetary compensation and benefits such as vacation time and severance pay. Around 400,000 students who participate in internships will gain complete labor rights and full pay.

How It Can Help Reduce Poverty

With increased access to reliable contracts and government support, workers in Colombia can more effectively sustain jobs to support their families. In addition, poverty can be ameliorated by providing workers with easier access to welfare benefits and higher minimum wages. For workers in Colombia, these reforms subsidize the amount of income they are spending on necessary services, leaving room for emergencies and adequate nutrition.

Formalizing the gig economy, paying workers more and limiting atypical contracts are expected to increase labor costs. However, these reforms have the promising potential to underpin the workforce, provide fair compensation and benefits and help sustain poverty reduction by offering workers viable and endurable opportunities.

As employment in Colombia steadily rises, workers must be supported with effective social services and protected by enforced labor laws. Compliance from employers, government oversight and support for workers and businesses will be critical to improving conditions for Colombian workers and effectively reducing poverty throughout the country.

– Erin Hellhake

Erin is based in Old Bridge, NJ, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

, ,

Wadhwani AI: Fighting Poverty in India

Wadhwani aiIn a country of more than 1.4 billion people, diseases such as tuberculosis are rife, crop losses threaten the livelihoods of millions and many children struggle unaided with basic literacy. The Wadhwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence (Wadhwani AI), is a nonprofit that is using AI to fight poverty in India. Founded in 2018 by Romesh and Sunil Wadhwani, Wadhwani AI is applying low-cost, AI-based solutions to real-world problems in critical areas such as healthcare, agriculture and education.

Reducing the Spread of Tuberculosis

India has the highest burden of tuberculosis (TB) cases globally:

  • India accounts for 27% of recorded TB cases
  • In 2022, 2.82 million new cases were documented
  • 331,000 deaths were due to TB

The National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) is the Indian governmental initiative to reduce the spread of TB. The Transformative Research and Artificial Intelligence Capacity for Elimination of Tuberculosis (TRACE-TB) – Wadhwani AI’s umbrella term for several AI programs they are using to help combat TB – aims to improve upon diagnostic tools available and speed up treatment processes.

One of these goals is to improve upon the screening tools available to diagnose TB. These screening tools tend to be expensive, rely on specialist training and require a laboratory setup. Because of this, many TB patients go unrecorded because these screenings simply are not accessible or are under too much demand. Wadhwani AI’s solution is an AI-based diagnostic tool that analyses the sound of a patient’s cough and identifies probable cases of TB. This tool is available as an app, both for health care workers and for people looking to test at home.

Line Probe Assay

Another branch of TRACE-TB is improving the expediency of recording the results of Line Probe Assay (LPA) strips. LPA strips help diagnose cases of drug-resistant TB. Manual testing for this is done at one of only 64 labs across India, which are able to perform around 400,000 tests annually. Not only is this a highly insufficient rate of testing, but the manual process is subject to clerical issues. Due to this overburdened system, many cases will have significant delays in their treatment. Using AI to rapidly evaluate LPA strip results greatly improves upon this response time. This initiative uses a “human-in-the-loop” as part of the process, having someone double-check when the algorithm is uncertain about the interpretation of the results.

Helping Cotton Farmers Fight Pest Infestations

Across the globe, the primary crop for almost 100 million farmers is cotton. Ninety percent of these farmers are from smallholding farms in poorer countries. India is the world’s largest cotton producer (26% of the global output), and is a massive source of employment in the country. Not only are there 5.8 million cotton farmers in India, but a further 40 to 50 million work in the processing or trading of cotton.

Cotton is extremely vulnerable to pest infestations, and on average, Indian farmers lose around 30% of their crops annually. The acuteness of these losses are due to a combination of factors. Firstly, manually collecting data on infestations and then analysing it is very time-consuming, and often by the time that is done any counter-measures may no longer be effective. Secondly, there is a widespread lack of education amongst farmers about correct pesticide usage: using the wrong chemicals or spraying the incorrect amount can prove redundant to combating the infestation, and can be detrimental to the health of the farmers and the environment.

How It Works

Wadhwani AI’s initiative to help cotton farmers fight pest infestations is the CottonAce app. It is easily accessible, works offline and is available in nine languages.

Farmers install pheromone traps amongst their crops, which trap pests. They then upload images of the pests to the app and the AI algorithm identifies the pest and calculates how severe the infestation is. CottonAce generates instantaneous recommendations on which pesticide to use and how to best apply it. The app then shares the data with nearby farmers, creating an early-warning system for the area. CottonAce is a great example of a simple, easily scalable and highly accessible tool that can improve the security of the livelihoods of millions of people, and an easy-to-replicate example of using AI to fight poverty in India.

Assessing Students’ Literacy Skills

Vaachan Samiksha is an AI-based tool for assessing the oral literacy of students. India’s Annual Status of Education Report 2023 showed that more than half of grade five students struggled with reading texts designed for children aged three years below them. Typically, oral fluency is assessed by teachers individually, having students read a passage and then manually counting how often they mispronounce words. With millions of students to consider, this process is incredibly inefficient, fallible and provides very little information about the students’ needs. Wadhwani AI hopes to speed up this process and better gauge what individual students need via Vaachan Samiksha.

In partnership with the Gujarat government, 33,000 schools across the region are currently using the tool. Wadhwani AI developed an AI speech-to-text model that provides instantaneous transcription of the student during the literacy assessment and identifies the mispronounced terms. Multiple students are able to be assessed simultaneously, and the program can efficiently detect patterns in incorrect pronunciation and difficulties. This enables teachers to understand how and where each student is struggling with their oral-literacy, and helps to identify which students might need additional support. As of March 2025, the app has helped make more than 3.6 million assessments across Gujarat.

Closing Thoughts

Wadhwani AI’s work is a reminder that artificial intelligence isn’t only about high-tech labs or futuristic applications—it can be a powerful tool for solving real-world problems in low-resource settings. By designing practical, scalable solutions rooted in local needs, Wadhwani AI is helping shape a future where technology aids the critically underserved. As their programs continue to develop, they offer a compelling model for using AI to fight poverty in India and the potential for tackling global poverty with similar initiatives.

– Reuben Avis-Anciano

Reuben is based in Oxford, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

,

Peru’s JUNTOS Program Expansion

Peru’s JUNTOS programPeru’s JUNTOS program was launched in 2005 to lift large segments of the population from food poverty and reduce financial burdens in accessing essential resources. Since then, the program has expanded significantly, offering cash transfers and support in education and women’s welfare. By 2022, JUNTOS had developed more than six operating programs and reached more than 700,000 households in Peru. Here’s how JUNTOS has evolved, what it aims to achieve and how it continues to support poverty reduction efforts in Peru.

What Is JUNTOS?

JUNTOS supports impoverished households in most Peruvian districts, including some Indigenous Amazon communities. In 2005, roughly 40% of Peru’s population lived below the poverty line without a structured national solution. The government introduced cash transfers to improve access to nutrition and later expanded the program to cover health care and education.

JUNTOS provides funding through three pillars:

  • Restitution of fundamental rights

  • Promotion of productive development

  • Social safety net support

These pillars helped more than 85% of Peru’s population access direct cash transfers. The program targets pregnant women, vulnerable women and children ages 0 to 19.

Development of JUNTOS

JUNTOS began expanding in 2009 with its first additional initiative: the Promotion of Savings Culture (2009–2012). This success led to other programs, including Financial Education (2012), Technology Platforms for Financial Inclusion (2014–2015) and We Learn Better Together (2017–present). In 2022, JUNTOS expanded further to ensure that the majority of districts across Peru could access all available benefits.

Outcomes and Success of JUNTOS

Over two decades, Peru’s JUNTOS program has delivered results that mark significant progress in the country’s fight against poverty. In 2022, more than 703,000 households received cash transfers and essential nutrition support. Of Peru’s 1,890 districts, 1,840 gained direct access to JUNTOS services. Among the recipients were 1.5 million vulnerable women and children.

Compared to conditions in 2005, these outcomes represent major strides in reducing malnutrition, increasing school participation and improving financial literacy. Reports also highlight notable improvements in children’s development, especially cognitive growth among those exposed to the program between the ages of 0 and 4. Increased access to nutrients contributed to significant reductions in stunting among young children.

Children who accessed JUNTOS benefits early in life showed stronger developmental outcomes, suggesting that age plays a key role in the program’s long-term success. JUNTOS’ success can be attributed to its emphasis on administrative adaptability and its responsiveness to local contexts. The program’s integration with local health and education providers has ensured smoother delivery of services, while inter-agency collaboration has strengthened accountability and monitoring mechanisms. Moreover, community participation—especially involving women—has reinforced trust and boosted enrollment among marginalized groups.

Moving Forward

Peru’s JUNTOS program has supported the country’s most vulnerable populations with consistent, effective interventions. Free cash transfers improved the lives of nearly 2 million people, while expanded programs enhanced the development and well-being of children and families. JUNTOS stands as an example of how social protection programs could combat extreme poverty on a national scale.

– Joel Raymer

Joel is based in Derby, UK and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Solidarity Income: Building Futures With Cash Transfers

Solidarity IncomeMillions of Colombian citizens live in abject poverty. As of 2022, the overall poverty rate was approximately 37%. However, the country has significantly improved in decreasing poverty over the past few decades, mainly due to its cash transfer programs, which provide regular cash assistance to low-income families.

Programs such as Families in Action, Youth in Action and Solidarity Income have proven imperative in promoting youth education and improving the health and well-being of citizens. They also provide emergency financial assistance. The nation has implemented these initiatives to support vulnerable communities in achieving long-term economic stability and building futures in Colombia.

Families in Action

In 2000, Colombia started its main conditional cash transfer program, Families in Action. The program aims to assist low-income families with consistent financial support if they meet specific conditions. These include ensuring their children attend school regularly and get routine health checkups for children aged less than 5.

Since its inception, Families in Action has helped around 2.7 million Colombian families and about 10 million people. The program has increased the use of preventive health care services. More families are taking their children to growth and development check-ups and ensuring increased diversity in rural children’s diet. The program aims to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty and help future generations lead successful lives by building futures in Colombia.

The program is supported by numerous international agencies such as the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). These influential partners ensure that the program is running smoothly and has enough funding, which is crucial to continued success.

Youth in Action

Another initiative launched by the Colombian government in 2001 is Youth in Action. Aimed at easing the challenges many low-income youth face during their transition to adulthood, the program supports individuals aged 14 to 28 in college or attending vocational training programs. It provides regular cash payments to eligible students, which help pay for important expenses such as transportation, school supplies and housing. The main goal is to reduce youth unemployment and help students stay in school.

The initiative has been able to help approximately 300,000 young people through job training in semi-skilled trades, particularly in major cities where many struggle with unemployment. The program also connects these students with essential career services and job placement programs, guaranteeing their education leads to future opportunities.

The program has helped increase earnings and employment. For example, earnings for women increased by almost $18 per month (at the time of the evaluation). Additionally, 20% of program beneficiaries work in government-recognized firms, compared with 17.4% of other women. Overall, Youth in Action is an investment in Colombia’s future workforce and a strategic tool for building futures in Colombia through a fairer society.

Solidarity Income

Social inequalities among informal workers and families excluded from traditional social safety nets were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, the government launched Solidarity Income in 2020 to provide unconditional cash transfers to support families not protected by other assistance initiatives.

Unlike Families in Action, Solidarity Income has no conditions. Instead, it is specifically designed to quickly help struggling people who lost jobs and could not afford food during the pandemic. The program used data from government databases and financial institutions to pinpoint exact households, allowing them to send money, even to those in remote areas.

In only a few years, the initiative reached more than three million families, with most in extreme poverty. An example is Heidy Barrera, who said, “this money will allow me to buy food for my household.” Solidarity Income was crucial during the height of the pandemic, when many other forms of financial support were unavailable.

Conclusion

Colombia’s Families in Action, Youth in Action and Solidarity Income programs show the impact of how organized cash transfer programs can positively influence millions of lives. These initiatives provide short-term relief and long-term development by helping people grow through education and health, which are essential in preventing regression and help build futures in Colombia. Strengthening and expanding these programs will be of utmost importance to create a more equitable society for the future generation of Colombians.

– Rafe Photopoulos

Rafe is based in Gainesville, FL, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Government Takes Strides to Alleviate Period Poverty in Ghana

Government Takes Strides to Alleviate Period Poverty in Ghana The government of Ghana allocated GH₵292.4 million in its 2025 financial budget to provide free sanitary pads for girls in primary and secondary schools, marking a significant effort to address long-standing period poverty in the country. Plan International Ghana commended the initiative as a major investment in girls’ health, education and dignity.

Government Response to Menstrual Health

The Free Sanitary Pad Initiative (FSPI), announced by President John Dramani Mahama on April 24, seeks to combat period poverty—a chronic lack of access to menstrual products that disproportionately affects girls in rural areas. The Ghana Education Service estimates that up to 2 million girls will benefit from the program across public basic and secondary schools.

Limited access to menstrual products often leads girls to miss school during their periods. This absenteeism results in disrupted education and contributes to cycles of poverty. In more severe cases, girls are forced to use unsafe alternatives like newspapers, rags or leaves, which can lead to health complications and heighten their vulnerability to abuse. FSPI represents a significant policy move to reduce these risks. By providing menstrual products for free, the initiative aims to keep girls in school, improve academic outcomes and reduce gender-based barriers to education.

Breaking Stigma Through Education

FSPI also addresses material needs and seeks to reduce the stigma surrounding menstruation in Ghana. Misconceptions and social taboos around menstruation remain common, limiting open discussion and fostering discrimination against menstruating girls and women. These attitudes not only affect emotional well-being but also contribute to social exclusion. The government’s approach includes educational programming and public messaging to normalize conversations about menstrual health. Indeed, Ghana’s Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, described the initiative as an educational and developmental investment, not just a health intervention.

Plan International’s Role in Advocacy

The implementation of FSPI follows years of advocacy by organizations like Plan International Ghana, which urged the government in March 2024 to invest in menstrual health programs. The organization has distributed sanitary pads to more than 150,000 girls. Additionally, they have run nationwide campaigns to reduce stigma and increase awareness around menstrual hygiene.

Plan International Ghana has also promoted engagement with boys and men to support gender-inclusive conversations. Its programs have effectively reduced school absenteeism and promoted menstrual health education, especially in underserved communities. Applauding the FSPI, Constant Tchona, country director of Plan International Ghana, said the policy would address a key driver of inequality and help girls focus on education and reach their full potential.

Looking Ahead

While challenges remain, the Free Sanitary Pad Initiative marks a critical and historic step in the efforts to tackle period poverty in Ghana. Through this investment, the government is helping to ensure that menstruation no longer hinders girls’ access to education or exposes them to unnecessary risk. As implementation continues, sustained support and accountability could be essential in transforming policy into lasting change.

– Erin Hellhake

Erin is based in Old Bridge, NJ, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

5 Global Leaders Driving Poverty Reduction

5 Global Leaders Driving Poverty ReductionGlobal leaders often play a critical role in driving poverty reduction by casting decisive votes and implementing impactful policies. Indeed, around the world, several leaders have introduced programs that contribute to measurable poverty alleviation. Here are five global leaders who have focused on poverty reduction in their countries.

5 Global Leaders Driving Poverty Reduction

  1. Xi Jinping. Xi Jinping serves as the president of China, one of the world’s largest economies. Since he assumed office, the Chinese government reports that it has lifted 98.99 million people out of extreme poverty, defined as living on less than $1.69 per day. Poverty reduction has remained a central focus of national policy during Xi’s leadership.
    The nearly 100 million people affected by this effort live in diverse regions. The government supported more than 128,000 villages in improving community development.
  2. Katrín Jakobsdóttir. Katrín Jakobsdóttir is the Prime Minister of Iceland, one of the northernmost countries in the world. Jakobsdóttir is a well-respected feminist, known for her achievements in addressing poverty among women. In 2018, her administration enacted a law that prohibits unequal pay between men and women for the same work. In 2017, 13.6% of women in Iceland lived in poverty. Following the new law, that number dropped to 11.3% in 2018. By 2023, the poverty rate had fallen further to 8.9% for women and 9% for men.
  3. Narendra Modi. Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of India, the most populous country in the world, located in South Asia. Since he took office in 2014, the Indian government reports that it has lifted 250 million people out of poverty. Over the last decade, India’s GDP per capita rose by $2,000, while 17% of the population moved above the poverty line. Modi’s administration continues to focus on sustainable development as part of its broader economic strategy.
  4. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is the President of Brazil, the largest country in Latin America. His success in reducing poverty is largely attributed to a social program he implemented called “Bolsa Família.” This program has reached more than 50 million people in Brazil, offering families in poverty financial benefits on the condition that they attend regular medical check-ups and ensure their children receive an education. This compromise has shown to be effective.
  5. Paul Kagame. Paul Kagame is the President of Rwanda, a country in central Africa near Lake Victoria. Upon taking office in 2000, Kagame launched a program called Rwanda Vision 2020, which has exceeded its initial expectations. In 2000, Rwanda’s poverty rate was 75.2%. However, by 2024, this figure had fallen to 38.2%. Rwanda has invested in agriculture, health care and education to improve livelihoods across the country. However, ongoing regional conflict involving the M23 militia poses challenges to further development.

Leadership and Poverty Reduction

These political figures demonstrate a range of approaches to poverty reduction, from equal pay laws to social protection programs. While each country faces unique challenges, the common thread among these leaders is their early and sustained commitment to addressing poverty through policy and investment. Their efforts offer useful models for other nations and underscore the importance of leadership in global poverty reduction.

– Nicholas East

Nicholas is based in Ashby, MA, USA and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Iraq’s Reconstruction and Development: Markets for UK Firms

Iraq’s Reconstruction and DevelopmentBeginning in 1980, Iraq endured years of conflict, including the Iraqi-Iranian War, the Kuwait Invasion, the U.S.-led military invasion and ethnopolitical violence. After the U.S.-led invasion, Iraq’s annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth dropped from -8.2% in 2002 to -36.7% in 2003 when the invasion began.

Poverty became a major concern and as of 2024, 17.6% of the population still lives below the poverty line, a decline from 21.5% in 2022. The government is taking steps toward Iraq’s reconstruction and development in light of these challenges. In January 2025, Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani met with prominent U.K. business leaders to showcase the steps Iraq is taking to improve the investment climate.

Iraq’s Reconstruction and Development Efforts

During the Iraqi-Iranian War, Iraq accumulated significant debt. After the war, Iraq invaded Kuwait, which made the United Nations (U.N.) place severe sanctions on Iraq. The sanctions banned all imports and exports with Iraq, which rendered Iraq unable to obtain building materials from abroad to begin reconstruction.

In the following years, the U.S.-led invasion and ethnopolitical violence further deteriorated the remaining infrastructure, strained the economy and displaced countless Iraqis, pushing many into poverty. After the 2003 invasion, very little was done to support Iraq’s reconstruction and development. It was after the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) was defeated in 2017 that the prime minister announced that the rebuilding effort would require $88 billion.

The destruction covered around 80% of some cities and significant funding was required to remove the war remnants, including unexploded bombs, land mines and IEDs that had remained after the conflict.

The National Development Plan

However, in 2018, Iraq released its National Development Plan, which included a reconstruction and development framework for 2018-2030. The plan comprises 19 pillars that will target areas like education, employment, industry, social protection, health and more. The plan highlights many areas that can improve the quality of life for its citizens and promote economic growth.

Some of these include clearing “explosive hazards,” rebuilding damaged housing and buildings, upgrading electricity infrastructure and strengthening transportation and logistics services to encourage private sector recovery and expansion. It also involves initiating labor force surveys to identify the workforce’s needs, enhancing local inclusive governance and planning community needs, including those of displaced persons, youth and women.

Iraq-UK Partnerships and Investment Opportunities

In January 2025, Iraq’s Prime minister met with U.K. business leaders to explain the country’s plan to attract foreign investment and improve the Iraqi business environment. The two countries signed a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), including a range of export agreements and a trade deal of more than $12 billion. This agreement built upon a history of economic collaboration between Iraq and the U.K.

In 2024 alone, the U.K. participated in $1.5 billion worth of projects in Iraq. One notable initiative was a partnership with Vodafone, a multinational telecommunications company based in the U.K. In late 2024, Iraq authorized Vodafone to launch the country’s first 5G network, marking a significant step in the nation’s technological advancement. Beyond telecommunications, U.K. firms have expanding prospects in the construction, petrochemicals and energy sectors. In Iraq, building material accounts for around 30% of imports. Additionally, natural gas projects are progressing in nearly every oil field in the country, providing opportunities for U.K. firms.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister of Iraq also explained that “Reforms have been carried out in the taxation and customs systems, company registration processes and all approvals related to investment opportunities.” Alongside these reforms, Iraq will provide sovereign guarantees to the private sector, utilize “global intermediary banks” to conduct all financial transactions and allocate $100 billion to the investment budget. These reforms and financial commitments create an environment where U.K. firms can significantly contribute to Iraq’s economic growth and poverty reduction.

Conclusion

Iraq’s efforts to attract foreign investment, particularly through its U.K. partnership, are key to stimulating economic development and reducing poverty. U.K. firms can help those living under the poverty line in Iraq by contributing to construction, energy and petrochemical-based projects. Improved roads, ports, electricity and overall economic conditions can provide Iraqis with increased access to new markets domestically and internationally. The World Bank highlights that trade and investment can stimulate developing economies, increase higher-quality job opportunities and raise productivity.

With 60% of Iraq’s population falling within the working-age bracket (15-64), the country presents U.K. firms with a substantial labor force. Beyond economic benefits, this also creates an opportunity to address social challenges. Expanding employment prospects can help prevent youth from being pushed into violence, terrorism and poverty due to a lack of quality job opportunities, fostering greater stability in the region.

– Haley Parilla

Haley is based in Cape Coral, FL, USA and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

, ,

Transitional Government Aims to Rebuild Syria After Civil War

Rebuild SyriaThe Syrian civil war, which started in 2011, destroyed the country’s economy and infrastructure as armed groups loyal to different sides fought for control over many local economic hubs. This led to the destruction of sprawling urban centers and infrastructure nationwide. However, in December 2024, Syrian opposition forces ousted the Assad regime, marking a turning point in the nation’s history. Now, a transitional government is leading efforts to rebuild Syria through diplomatic measures.

A Free Market Economy

According to Al Jazeera, under the opposition group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the transitional government wants to establish Syria as a free market economy. As a step towards this, the government reopened the Nasib border crossing with Jordan, one of Syria’s busiest trading routes.

The government will be trying to establish new economic protocols to stabilize the public sector. The focus right now is on necessities such as electricity. However, the country’s economy currently revolves around informal markets that don’t have official oversight, resulting in a hard-to-follow capital flow that will be a challenge to capitalize on.

Reforming Government Ministries

Mohammed Abazeed, finance minister, told Reuters that government ministries would be reformed to improve accountability and efficiency, leading to a 400% increase in public sector salaries by February. The government also plans to overhaul the tax system to benefit all taxpayers. These improvements in various sectors will help Syria. 

However, the country still suffers from sanctions other nations imposed on it during Assad’s regime. The Assad regime received sanctions from many countries in the West, such as the U.S. and the U.K. These sanctions forced the regime to look to Iran and Russia for funding, but now that the old regime has been ousted, the new transitional government inherited those sanctions without a direct source of outside financing to counter them.

Removing Economic Sanctions

The transitional government led by interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa is in diplomatic talks with the U.S. and European Union (EU) countries to remove economic sanctions. The U.S. government did label HTS as a terrorist organization;

However, on December 20, 2024, the U.S. government removed a $10 million bounty for al-Sharaa. The U.S. is also leading talks with Gulf Arab states to remove sanctions so long as the new government cuts ties with Russia and Iran, according to Al Jazeera.

A Peaceful Resolution

Armed groups and militias still control much of Syria. Many of these groups fought the HTS or remained wary of their intentions. As a show of peace, the transitional government invited delegates from all over Syria to a national dialogue conference on February 25.

Al-Sharaa and his government are trying to reach a peaceful resolution with other armed groups by involving them in rebuilding and creating a unified army from these groups. However, the Syrian Democratic Forces have refused to disarm and give up their territory.

Conclusion

Many Syrians remain hopeful for the future. Diplomatic talks with nations such as Türkiye remain consistent for the transitional government, potentially allowing for foreign investment. Syria remains in a precarious position but is consolidating a plan to rebuild.

– Jonathan Joseph

Jonathan is based in Milwaukee, WI, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons