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How Christmas Shopping is Relieving Poverty

Christmas Shopping Is Relieving PovertyChristmas is famously known as the time for giving and generosity, with more than 40% of people admitting they are more likely to donate to charity at Christmas time. The season is also the busiest time of year for shopping, with Christmas supermarket sales hitting a record $17.36 billion in December 2024.

This correlation provides opportunities for charitable organizations to partner with supermarkets and popular outlets of Christmas spending. Here are a few examples of how Christmas shopping is relieving poverty:

One for One Schemes

These schemes, whereby an organization also does charitable work for every Christmas shopping item purchased, are highly effective at relieving poverty. This incentive encourages people to buy from these companies, especially during gift-giving seasons. The IKEA Foundation has run a particularly successful initiative called Soft Toys for Education throughout the Christmas period since 2003. It partners with UNICEF and Save the Children, two of the largest global organizations supporting children in poverty.

In this scheme, for every soft toy or children’s book purchased from the participating IKEA stores, the company donates $1.34 to education programs run by the partnered organizations. This is an excellent example of how Christmas shopping relieves poverty. This collaboration makes use of the spike in sales IKEA sees over Christmas.

It provides an additional incentive to buy typical Christmas presents like books and toys. Since starting this program, the IKEA Foundation has donated more than $50 million, which has helped support more than 11 million children.

Second-Hand Shopping

Due to factors such as rising cost-of-living, sustainability and environmental care, second-hand shopping is on the rise. Charity shops, such as OXFAM’s, see increased sales around Christmas, rising more than 40% the week before Christmas in 2022. These organizations rely on money spent in their shops to finance overseas programs and humanitarian work. Their shops sell ideal gifts or household items for Christmas, such as clothes, books, toys, decorations and furniture, for a fraction of the price they’d be sold for as new.

This makes second-hand shops an ideal and accessible option for Christmas shopping. The money raised from these will be spent on providing lifesaving emergency aid, supporting long-term projects to improve the quality of life and campaigning to address inequality. This means there is a significant moral incentive to buy second-hand materials.

Lush’s Charitable Efforts

Lush, a company well known for its charitable efforts and advocacy for human rights and environmental care, is one of the most ethical businesses demonstrating how Christmas shopping relieves poverty. Its sales rose significantly during this period, reaching more $40 million in December 2022.

One of the many charitable schemes Lush runs is called Charity Pot, the name of a moisturizing product that raises money for charity with every sale. All proceeds from Charity Pot products go to the Charity Pot Fund, which is then distributed as grants to nonprofit organizations. The Charity Pot has been sold in 42 countries, raising more than $65 million, which has been allocated to a wide range of causes.

These include more than 150 peace-building and anti-war initiatives, more than 800 campaigns supporting migrants and refugees and more than 250 projects supporting Indigenous peoples. These grants prioritize causes that aim to create sustainable and long-term systemic change.

The participating organizations are spread across the globe and are predominantly run by volunteers, making these grants incredibly impactful for their causes.

Checkout Donations

One of the easiest ways millions of people can help combat poverty during Christmas is by using the charity donation option at tills. Many shops reinforce this option or allocate the proceeds to specific charities over the holidays. It’s a convenient choice for most consumers, as the donation amount is usually just a few cents to round the total to the nearest dollar, often preventing unwanted change.

This method has proven to be an incredibly effective way of raising money for charity. For example, customers of The Body Shop have raised more than $460,000 for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) through donations at both online and in-store checkouts. These donations have supported the organization’s mission to save lives and build better futures for millions forced to flee their homes.

Final Remarks

There are many ways in which partnerships between charities and retailers are helping people in need, most of which involve schemes for donations. These rise around Christmas time due to the massive number of people participating in shopping and the emotional elements of Christmas that make people likely to feel generous. There is a large market for charity at this time of year, one that helps people immensely globally.

– Abigail Gadsden

Abigail is based in Kent, UK and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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How MrBeast’s Chocolate Is Eradicating Child Labor

MrBeast’s ChocolateThe cocoa industry has long faced scrutiny over child labor. YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, is working to address the issue through his company, Feastables. The U.S.-based chocolate company is “on a mission to end child labor in the cocoa industry.”

MrBeast plans to reshape the industry from production to purchase by “empowering West African children to get off farms and into local schools.” Feastables is more than a chocolate brand; it is one of the few companies sourcing 100% of its cocoa from Fairtrade-certified cooperatives. It ensures farmers receive a living income while tackling the root causes of child labor.

The Cocoa Industry’s Child Labor Problem

The global chocolate industry, despite having faced criticism for its ties to child labor, has refused to cut its connection to farms with human rights violations. The Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) reports that more than 1.5 million children work on cocoa farms in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.

The International Labor Organization (ILO) defines child labor as: “Work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity and that is harmful to their physical and mental development.” The Food Empowerment Project reports that children as young as 5 years old work on these farms. They often operate heavy and dangerous machinery and sometimes work up to 14 hours daily.

Historical Roots of Exploitation

Cocoa farming has deep colonial roots. It was introduced to the region to meet European demand through cheap or free labor. This practice continues in different forms today. Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana now supply about 60% of the world’s cocoa.

Yet, because of the demand for cheap cocoa, most farmers earn less than $1 per day, below the extreme poverty line. This widespread poverty often forces families to rely on child labor for survival. MrBeast, speaking on a podcast with Steven Bartlett, said he wants to show other chocolate companies that “you can still make a profit while being ethically sourced.”

How MrBeast’s Chocolate Stands Out

Feastables’ collaboration with the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) aids on-the-ground work with farmers to address the inequities within the supply chain. ICI Executive Director, Matthias Lange, said it is “really positive to see a relatively young company operating in the cocoa sector take up their duty to ensure that they’re creating responsible supply chains that promote human rights.”

With these efforts, MrBeast’s chocolate company aims to eradicate child labor in West Africa. The company aims to achieve this in three key ways:

  1. Fairtrade Cocoa Sourcing: Feastables purchases 100% of its cocoa on Fairtrade terms. This involves workers receiving a “Fairtrade Minimum Price” for their goods, protecting against market price drops. Farmers also receive a “premium,” an investment tool for their business, improving production and working conditions.
  2. Living Income Reference Price (LIRP): Feastables pays farmers the LIRP or the market price, whichever is higher. Fairtrade defines the LIRP as “The price a typical farmer household with a viable farm size and a sustainable productivity level needs to earn a living income from their crop sales.” Maintaining this price is critical to tackling child labor, as Feastables explains: “Stopping child labor starts with addressing its root cause—poverty.”
  3. Child Labor Prevention: Feastables only partners with farms using child labor monitoring and remediation systems (CLMRS). These systems identify children in labor or at risk and provide solutions to remove or protect them. According to the ICI, CLMRS can reduce child labor by a third when effectively implemented.

The system operates through four key functions: raising awareness, identifying children, offering prevention and remediation support and following up with affected children. Strict adherence to CLMRS is central to MrBeast’s plan to eliminate child labor in West Africa.

Conclusion

The chocolate sector still faces major challenges. Yet, MrBeast’s Chocolate model shows companies can practice ethical sourcing without sacrificing profits. Feastables has partnered with three major organizations to scale its impact: Fairtrade, ICI and Tony’s Open Chain.

Through these partnerships, MrBeast has committed the company to high standards of transparency, farmer support and child protection. This approach sets an example for the industry. It shows that consumer demand and corporate responsibility can work hand in hand to drive lasting change.

– Ashley Pfeifer

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

Photo: Unsplash

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Innovations in Poverty Eradication in Gambia 

Poverty Eradication in GambiaWhile the Gambia may be the smallest country on the entire African continent, poverty remains the nation’s most significant challenge. In 2020, the national poverty rate stood at a whopping 53.4%. This poverty rate mainly concentrates on the rural areas, where the majority of the people living there are very poor. This affects around 76% of the entire nation. The vast majority of the poor in the Gambia are farmers, with 75% of the poor and 91% of the extreme poor having a farming occupation. The Gambia ranks 174th out of 194 countries on the Human Development Index (HDI) in 2022, due to its struggles with global poverty.

To combat the impoverished conditions that consistently attack the nation, many projects have started up to help Gambia combat its ongoing battle with nationwide poverty. Here are some of those projects and their innovations in poverty eradication in Gambia. 

The Inspiring-Young Stars Program

The Inspiring-Young Stars Program is a Gambian nonprofit organization that kick-started in 2016, with its mission to transform the lives of children through education and service. This program puts a big emphasis on education because it believes education can reduce the impact of poverty in Gambia, despite not directly solving the problem itself. 

The Gambia struggles to improve its access to education due to its limited resources. This includes a lack of funding for education, teaching facilities and teachers. This leads to a vast majority of Gambia lacking quality education, as only 11% of children aged 7 to 14 demonstrate fundamental literacy skills and 9% in numerical skills. Ghana’s education system contributes to its high dropout rate of 29% among Gambian children. Because the Inspiring Young Stars programs believe education can help reduce poverty, they emerged as one of the major innovations in poverty eradication in Gambia.

The Micro-Gardening Project

One of the Inspiring-Young Stars Program’s many projects, which is considered extremely crucial, is the micro-gardening project. This project brings together children from their community libraries, youth volunteers and Charter School students to learn how to grow and care for a garden. This enables the students to learn the skills necessary to maintain a garden for growing vegetables and crops. This project not only serves as a way to learn technical skills, but it also serves as a space for learning critical life skills for the future. 

Other Projects

The program also hosts other projects that give Gambian children access to resources to teach themselves and others fundamental literacy skills. 

While there isn’t much data on what the organization has accomplished overall, the Inspiring-Young Stars Program continues to do projects that involve the Gambian youth to help them learn vital skills. Overall, such projects that this program gets involved in provide an education to children and other youth volunteers for crucial life skills, despite the adversities they all face. Through such projects, it helps get the Gambian youth involved in efforts to reduce poverty, making in one of the significant innovations in poverty eradication in Gambia.

International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is the world’s fund for transforming agriculture, rural economies and more. IFAD invests in rural people, who are often the most vulnerable and the world’s poorest like those in the Gambia. 

To reduce poverty levels in the Gambia, IFAD has developed a strategy to accomplish this. Because a majority of Gambia’s poor are farmers, taking specific action to help these farmers will support them in various aspects. On the financial aspect, this involves increasing their access to markets. In doing so, it allows these farmers to support themselves financially. 

This also involves increasing the value of certain crops by increasing the value chain participants. By increasing the value of crops through such means, it helps make it easier for farmers to support themselves financially. Their efforts to support the majority of Gambia’s poor make this one of the many innovations in poverty eradication in Gambia through making strides to improve both Gambia and other impoverished nations worldwide. 

Throughout its efforts, it has helped many of Gambia’s poor, especially its rural farmers. IFAD has supported 11 programs and projects in the Gambia that have all cost an estimated total of $287.21 million. IFAD has supported more than 195,000 rural households in the Gambia that are experiencing poverty. IFAD’s time and efforts to support Gambia’s poor, especially its farmers, have made it one of the main organizations that have utilized innovations in poverty eradication in Gambia through its strategic plan and objectives.

Concluding Thoughts

Efforts for organizations like IFAD and the Inspiring-Stars Program have helped combat the Gambia’s battle with poverty, which has helped improve conditions in the country. Whether it is expanding education or even helping farmers support themselves financially, the efforts they have had an impact on reducing poverty in the Gambia. 

– Pramod Sesh

Pramod is based in Iselin, NJ, USA and focuses on Technology and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Reducing Poverty in Laos

Poverty in LaosLaos is on a bold path to eliminate poverty and graduate from its least developed country (LDC) status by 2026. The country has made measurable strides with ambitious government-led programs and critical international partnerships. Yet, the journey is far from over. While thousands of families have been lifted from poverty, fiscal constraints and a high foreign debt burden still pose serious threats to progress in Laos.

A National Commitment To Ending Poverty in Laos

The government of Laos has embedded poverty reduction into its core national development agenda. Through the National Growth and Poverty Eradication Strategy (NGPES), the country has aimed to reduce poverty rates and build a self-reliant economy since 2003. The latest five-year socioeconomic development plan continues this vision with a renewed focus on green and sustainable development.

Several districts, including Xay in Oudomxay, Xieng Ngeun in Luang Prabang and six in Champasack Province, have been officially declared “poverty-free.” They met benchmarks for infrastructure, clean water, health care and education. In 2024 alone, 31,232 families were lifted out of poverty, achieving 89% of the annual goal.

Investing in Infrastructure for Poverty Reduction in Laos

Physical infrastructure plays a pivotal role in reducing poverty in Laos. Road networks, railways, clean water access and health care centers directly improve rural livelihoods. In Xay District, 95% of residents now have access to clean water and major infrastructure investments have made 79 of its 94 villages poverty-free.

The government has also expanded the Village Development Fund, distributing 500 million Lao kip (approximately $23,00) per district to support rural families. Targets for 2025 include lifting 100,000 families, 1,000 villages and 25 districts out of poverty.

Partners Drive Development

Key multilateral institutions, namely the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), are instrumental in reducing poverty in Laos. These partners provide direct financial aid and help the nation build systems that can sustain long-term development.

The World Bank’s Community Livelihood Enhancement and Resilience (CLEAR) Initiative targets 450 rural villages with small-scale infrastructure projects and resilience-focused interventions. In parallel, the $37 million Reducing Rural Poverty and Malnutrition Project focuses on cash transfers and nutrition support for more than 85,000 people.

UNICEF supports Laos in strengthening its social protection systems. Since 2020, the National Social Protection Strategy has aimed to ensure all citizens’ access to health care, social security and welfare. Programs like the Mother and Early Childhood Grant provide monthly payments to low-income mothers, directly supporting child nutrition, education and health.

Furthermore, the ADB’s gender-responsive graduation approach helps ultra-poor households transition into sustainable livelihoods. The ADB also invests $65.8 million in Laos’ agrifood system to improve climate resilience, nutrition and household incomes, focusing on export-driven crops like bamboo, tea and coffee.

Economic Growth vs. Debt Burden

While Laos’ gross domestic product (GDP) grew 4.1% in 2024 and inflation dropped to 8.3% by May 2025, economic progress is threatened by high debt. Public debt is roughly 99% of GDP, with China being the largest creditor. Much of this debt is tied to infrastructure projects meant to transform Laos into a “land-linked” economy. However, these projects, like hydropower and railways, have delayed profitability, complicating the nation’s fiscal outlook.

Green Growth for a Sustainable Future

Laos’ National Green Growth Strategy till 2030 seeks to balance environmental protection with poverty eradication. The plan emphasizes clean infrastructure, vocational training for women, organic farming and green urban planning. This holistic approach ensures that poverty reduction in Laos aligns with climate resilience and inclusive economic growth, which are key for a lasting development transition.

Laos is making significant strides toward its 2026 LDC graduation goal with strong indicators of success in rural development, international collaboration and infrastructure investment. Still, deep structural challenges, particularly high debt, could slow progress. 

– Cameron Jones

Cameron is based in Hendersonville, TN, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Internet Access Is Driving Poverty Eradication in Georgia

Poverty Eradication in GeorgiaIn developed countries, it can be easy to forget how invaluable a tool the internet can be in improving the everyday lives of people. In Georgia, revolutionary online programs are changing the ways that many people learn, earn and live. Almost 40% of Georgians live in rural areas, of which 27.5% are estimated to be living below the poverty line. For many of these people, unreliable access to transport, unpredictable weather and distance from urban areas make access to many services near-impossible. Internet-based innovations in poverty eradication in Georgia are proving to be beneficial in many different ways.

Education

Digital tools provide access to education for many Georgians, including both school children and adults. In rural areas, the rate of children completing high school is around 50%, significantly lower than that of children in urban areas (74%). This education gap is even more significant between the wealthy and poor, with the completion rate for the richest being more than double that of the poorest.

Educare Georgia is an initiative which aims to provide free access to global educational resources for Georgians. By translating more than 4,000 lessons from Khan Academy – a free source for lessons in subjects such as mathematics and science – Educare Georgia has helped connect many Georgian children to a more expansive way of learning.

Giveinternet.org is another initiative that Educare Georgia started. This service aims to provide internet access and devices to children in underserved communities and settlements for Internally Displaced Persons. What began as a project to help Georgian children has expanded to help children in other poverty-ridden countries, such as Malawi and Uganda. At present, 2,899 children in remote and marginalized areas have been provided with reliable access to the internet, ensuring equal educational opportunities.

Real-Time Jobs for Youth is another online educational project in Georgia, supported by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and UNICEF. It aims to provide young people from state care or marginalized backgrounds with free education on coding, digital marketing and design, as well as online freelance work. This has helped to greatly improve job opportunities for many young people. These programs are crucial innovations in poverty eradication in Georgia, allowing children of all backgrounds to receive a proper education.

Health and Social Care

Internet connectivity has had a major impact on health care accessibility in Georgia. During the COVID-19 pandemic, much of Georgia’s rural population found themselves unable to access proper health care. Many people live in mountainous regions where reliable transport is scarce and the weather can be extremely unpredictable. The vast majority of doctors in Georgia are based in Tbilisi and other urban areas, while most urban regions are critically underserved. This is especially true when it comes to the distribution of specialists, such as obstetricians and pediatricians.

A huge telemedicine initiative sought to provide improved health care to these remote areas, and the project has continued expanding since the end of the pandemic. In Georgia, approximately 93% of deaths are the result of non-communicable diseases. By providing video consultations, remote diagnostics and improving the communication methods between local doctors and specialists, many people now have access to health care and expertise which was formerly out-of-reach. One example of this improved healthcare is the more than 3,000 women now registered for cervical, breast and thyroid cancer screenings, hopefully resulting in the prevention of many deaths.

GeorgiaUnify

This expansion in online services and tools has also expanded into social care. GeorgiaUnify, a social care integration platform, developed by the Georgia Health Information Network (GaHIN), enables better communication between health care providers and social services. As stated above, much of Georgia’s rural population are unable to access or do not have transport in order to use many services. As a result, medical referrals for social care services do not always receive attention, and peoples’ situations do not improve. GeorgiaUnify notifies all parties involved of the referral, ensuring a better service. Data is also shared with local Community-Based Organizations, providing more information on housing stability, food security and transportation in order for people to access any services as easily as possible.

Agriculture

Agriculture employs around 38% of Georgia’s workforce, yet only makes up around 6-8% of Georgia’s GDP, demonstrating that many farms are underperforming or otherwise making little money. Platforms such as AgroMap, which Georgia’s Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture developed, offer satellite imaging, crop analysis and weather forecasting. This data helps farmers make more informed decisions, improving yields and reducing costs. AgroMap also helps farmers access other business contacts and other support services.

The agriculture extension is another digital platform for farmers, enabling them to access online training and an electronic library of information. Farmers are now able to educate themselves on up-to-date techniques and have a better understanding of the market.

Digital tools also help with land management, irrigation planning and pest control. As a result, agricultural productivity has increased in regions where internet access is reliable, helping with the food security and economic stability of many rural communities. These support systems and data platforms are examples of practical innovations in poverty eradication in Georgia, granting a significant source of employment the chance to thrive.

Expanding Georgia’s Internet Access

The cornerstone of these advancements is the expansion of internet infrastructure. The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) is a $1.3 billion grant to expand internet access to reach all regions of Georgia. The program prioritizes communities that are currently unserved or underserved, promoting economic growth, improved education and training and access to services such as the ones listed above.

The initiative to expand access to the internet in Georgia is about much more than simply getting a 4G signal – it expands the opportunities and helps to improve the health, wealth and education of many communities. Many of Georgia’s most poverty-stricken are now able to get the tools needed to build a brighter future for themselves.

– Reuben Avis-Anciano

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

Photo: Unsplash

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Poverty Eradication in Algeria: Supporting Vulnerable Communities​

Poverty Eradication in AlgeriaIn Algeria, where nearly a quarter of the population lives below the poverty line, organizations like Humanium are working to alleviate hardship and protect children’s rights by addressing the root causes of poverty and supporting community development. Here is more information about poverty eradication in Algeria.

Understanding Poverty in Algeria 

Algeria has made notable progress in reducing poverty over the past two decades, achieving a 20% reduction through social policies aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, challenges persist. According to the Embassy of Algeria, poverty remains widespread, especially in rural areas where access to public services, clean water, health care and transportation is limited. Isolation and scarcity define life for many in these regions, making it difficult to break the cycle of poverty. In some provinces, school-aged children must travel long distances to attend under-resourced schools, and families often rely on subsistence farming or informal work to survive.

Poverty in Algeria disproportionately affects children, women and those living in remote regions. According to UNICEF, structural issues such as high youth unemployment, limited access to quality education and a heavy reliance on the informal economy contribute to widespread inequality. Vulnerable households frequently lack the means to meet basic needs like food, housing and education. Algeria’s economic dependence on hydrocarbon exports makes it susceptible to global market shocks, which often lead to inflation and job losses, further worsening the struggles of low-income communities.

Humanium’s Initiatives in Algeria​

Humanium, a non-governmental organization focused on children’s rights, has been active in Algeria addressing key issues such as poverty, child labor, child marriage and limited access to health care and education. Around 23% of Algerians live below the poverty line, with rural poverty twice as high as in urban areas. These conditions contribute to approximately 5% of children aged 5 to 15 engaging in child labor, often at the expense of their education.

Humanium also advocates against child marriage and violence against children, which remains underreported due to fear and stigma. In refugee camps in western Algeria, children face poor living conditions and high school dropout rates. Through legal advocacy, community outreach, and education campaigns, Humanium promotes children’s rights and supports poverty eradication in Algeria by helping families protect and empower their children.

Social Protection​ Measures in Action 

Following economic and political transitions since 2019, the Algerian government has introduced several social protection programs. These include subsidies for essential food items, universal health care and financial aid for the unemployed, elderly and women. In 2023, Algeria implemented further reforms, such as raising minimum wages, pensions and unemployment benefits, in response to rising inflation. These reforms are designed to enhance living standards and align with the SDGs, particularly the goal of poverty eradication in Algeria. However, significant barriers remain. Many informal workers and residents of remote regions are still excluded from these benefits due to gaps in infrastructure and outreach, limiting the impact of government policies.

The Road Ahead for Poverty Eradication in Algeria 

Despite state-led initiatives and NGO efforts, poverty eradication in Algeria continues to be an urgent challenge. A comprehensive strategy demands not only economic reform but also continuous investment in health care, education and child protection systems. Humanium plays a crucial role by providing immediate relief while fostering long-term development and sustainability.

Through advocacy, education and support services, Humanium contributes meaningfully to poverty eradication in Algeria, empowering vulnerable communities and helping to break cycles of poverty. Strengthening partnerships between local and international actors will be key to building a more equitable and prosperous future for all Algerians.

– Poppy Phillips

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

Photo: Flickr

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Being Poor in Nigeria

Being Poor in NigeriaNigeria is a multiethnic and culturally diverse federation with 36 autonomous states and the Federal Capital Territory. The ruling All Progressives Congress party (APC) partially dominate the political landscape, which controls the executive branch of government and holds a majority of seats in the Senate and House of Representatives in parliament as well as a majority of the states. Nigeria has a sizable population and a thriving economy, making it the largest in the West African sub-region. The oil industry produced a third of GDP, 85% of foreign exchange earnings and 95% of export income. Nigeria’s abundant resource reserves make it a prospective market for foreign businesses looking to create a thriving economy, combat poverty and deliver basic services.

Poverty in Nigeria

Most people would wonder why Nigeria still faces the prospect of poverty even though it is known as the nation with the greatest economy in the West African sub-region. Because its population has few opportunities, poverty is a problem for the government. The World Bank has stated that “Nigerians born in 2020 are only 36% as productive as they could be if they had access to health and education,” and their country has the seventh-lowest human capital index in the world. Many workers emigrate as a result of poor job creation and entrepreneurial opportunities.

In 2023, 87 million Nigerians were living below the poverty level, representing a 38.9% poverty rate. The best-performing regions are compared to upper-middle-income nations, demonstrating the persistence of spatial inequality. Insecurity and violence are pervasive, state capacity is inadequate and service delivery is constrained. Inadequate infrastructure impedes domestic economic integration and limits access to electricity. These difficulties are made more difficult by newly emerging issues like extreme weather events.

What Does It Mean to Be Poor in Nigeria?

Nigeria is facing a wave of violence, including kidnappings, clashes, terrorist attacks, brutal murders, food insecurity, inadequate health care and a disproportionate increase in living costs.

Residents of a refugee camp in Zamfara state in northwest Nigeria said “We are suffering greatly. We have almost nothing to eat and for more than four years we have not been able to dedicate ourselves to agriculture because the bandits have driven us out of our communities. We urgently need the government’s support.”

More than 2.2 million people in Nigeria have experienced displacement.  Many of them are now living in congested, resource-poor camps. In the northeast, continuous battles are also impacting food production and agriculture. Families are afraid to grow outside of military cities. Being poor in Nigeria has led to some families eating cassava husks to survive because food shortages are so bad. As a result of poverty in Nigeria, the Nigerian government introduced the National Multisectoral Action Plan for Food and Nutrition in 2020, a 2021–2025 initiative to address malnutrition and food security. However, this initiative has received enough funding.

More than 30% of Nigeria’s workforce is employed in the agriculture sector, which contributes 24% of the country’s GDP. Yet support for this sector is still below the 10% goal that the African Union established in the 2003 Maputo Declaration. With 32% of children under five suffering from childhood stunting, Nigeria has one of the highest rates in the world.

The Path to Economic Stability and Poverty Reduction

Since May 2023, Nigeria has implemented significant measures aimed at reestablishing macroeconomic stability. There is now a single, better-regulated, and market-reflective official exchange rate as a result of the government’s shift to market-based gasoline pricing and significant FX policy reforms. Nevertheless, this has increased the strain already placed on businesses and people. Although the macroeconomic environment is getting better, further steps are necessary to guarantee long-term deflation and better policy communication. Four main fiscal priorities can lower debt risks and free up funds for pro-poor and development investment. Wage jobs, macro fiscal stability, growth, private sector development and human capital creation are all necessary for long-term poverty reduction.

While higher-paying jobs are unavailable, short- and medium-term initiatives to increase production in household businesses, both farm and non-farm, can offer assistance. Youth and women’s policy measures can also increase the labor market’s capacity to reduce poverty.

The World Bank’s Efforts

To prevent the threat of being poor in Nigeria, the World Bank approved two operations on Wednesday, June 13, 2024: $750 million for the Nigeria Accelerating Resource Mobilization Reforms (ARMOR) Program-for-Results (PforR) and $1.5 billion for the Nigeria Reforms for Economic Stabilization to Enable Transformation (RESET) Development Policy Financing Program (DPF). Nigeria’s pressing attempts to stabilize the economy and increase aid for the poor and most economically vulnerable are immediately supported financially and technically by this $2.25 billion package. It also backs Nigeria’s multi-year, ambitious plan to protect oil income and increase non-oil revenues in order to foster fiscal sustainability and provide enough funding for high-quality public services.

– Abdulhameed Olanrewaju

Abdulhameed is based in Exeter, UK and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Being Poor in Nepal

Being Poor in NepalNepal is a country known for its breathtaking views of Mount Everest along with the birthplace of Buddha. Before COVID-19 and after the pandemic in 2023, at least a million visitors would come to Nepal to check out the scenery, try out the food including momos and dal bhat, and celebrate famous Hindu holidays like Teej and Dashain. While Nepal brings in at least a million tourists a year, there is an unfortunate side of the country where about 20% of the population lives in poverty. Here is information about being poor in Nepal.

The Impact of Natural Disasters in Nepal

During 1996-2006, a Civil War took place along with an earthquake in 2015 which both still impact the economy today. The devastating earthquake that took place on Saturday, April 25th, 2015 killed about 9,000 people and left more than three million people homeless. The magnitude of the quake was 7.9.

China and India border Nepal. The fact it is landlocked makes it difficult to obtain shipments of goods from other nations. However, India and Nepal do share an open border.

The state of locals living in the country living in poverty is due to frequent natural disasters including earthquakes, floods and mudslides, caste-based discrimination, the aftermath of the civil war, and limited access to health care and education. Many houses in Nepal do not have plumbing or electricity.

Education and Water Access in Nepal  

Many parents struggle to afford schooling for their children, leading to many kids having no access to learning. With children lacking education, it is extremely difficult to obtain better opportunities for them.  

Many rural Nepali homes do not have running water, resulting in people having to find the nearest pond to bathe in and leading to a spread in disease. Many people who live in the rural parts of Nepal do not have access to transportation to go to a hospital. Additionally, in many instances, health care is not available, so many rely on home remedies or just hoping that their sickness is not serious and that time will eventually heal it.

Being Poor in Nepal

About 42% of Nepal’s population was living below the poverty line in 1995 but it dropped to 20% in 2022. Though this made a drastic difference over 27 years, 20% is still a significant amount to be living in poverty. Fortunately, some organizations are addressing poverty in Nepal.

The American Himalayan Foundation

The American Himalayan Foundation started in 1981 and is based in San Francisco, California. It addresses several challenges in Nepal, such as human trafficking prevention, and improving education and health care.

Human trafficking is a global issue that many people especially women and children are victims of. According to the American Himalayan Foundation, they have concluded that more than 20,000 young girls from poorer parts of Nepal are taken away from their families. These girls and their families were tricked into believing they were going to receive better opportunities but instead, traffickers forced them into working in areas like factories and brothels. 

The American Himalayan Foundation has come up with strategies to prevent more girls from being trafficked and how they can save girls who have already fallen victim to it.  The organization builds schools as a location to keep girls safe, making trips to these schools four times a year to see how children are doing and providing them school essentials like backpacks and pencils. It has educated families on the dangers of human trafficking including how it happens and its effects on the children. 

About 27% of Nepalis under the age of 15 suffer from different types of disabilities. For little or no cost, the American Himalayan Foundation has funded a world-class orthopedic hospital to treat patients with disabilities. 

Outreach International

Outreach International is just one of the organizations that has been helping reduce poverty Nepal, especially during catastrophic events. The company originated in 1979 and it currently works in 10 countries including Nepal, India, the Philippines, Cambodia and Malawi.

Outreach International has brought clean water, nutritional meal options and health care to communities in Nepal. “When people gain the knowledge to improve the conditions of their lives, all of Nepal can move toward a more prosperous and equitable future.”   

Looking Ahead

While Nepal is a country known for its unique natural landscape and the founder of Buddhism, being poor in Nepal has many challenges. However, fortunately, multiple organizations are doing their best to address the circumstances of poverty in Nepal and will hopefully reduce it moving forward.

– Cheyenne Kitchel

Cheyenne is based in Akron, OH, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Disability and Poverty in Spain 

Disability and Poverty in SpainThe UN defines a disability as a long-term impairment that can limit a person’s ability to participate in society. It also defines poverty as an individual living off less than $2.15 per person per day. It is no secret that those with disabilities are at higher risk of issues like lack of security, low income, dependence and overall insecurity; those suffering from disability and poverty in Spain are no different. With the two often linked, those who experience one are often susceptible to experiencing the other, meaning those suffering from disabilities may experience multidimensional poverty. Multidimensional poverty refers to the various ways in which poverty itself is measured including health, education, security, infrastructure and more.

The examples shown above are ways in which individuals may experience many limitations, not just health-related ones. This not only makes it difficult for them to find their way out of poverty but also places those with disabilities in more vulnerable situations when it comes to quality of life.

Living With Both Disability and Poverty in Spain

In order to tackle both these issues head-on in Spain, the Spanish National Institute of Statistics conducted a survey to better understand its people in both 2021 and 2022. During this period, findings showed that by 2022, 18.1% of individuals aged 16-64 stated they had some sort of disability and were only able to work part-time. One should note that individuals with disabilities are more likely to face social exclusion at a rate of 92.6% compared to those without. This is without the added factor of poverty and how their disability has affected their economic standing. With the unemployment rate in 2022 standing at 21.4% in the disabled category, women and young women aged 16-65 held the lowest percentage.

Efforts continuously occur in an attempt to lower these numbers, especially after they hit a slight rise following the onset of COVID-19, which led to a rise in poverty and food insecurity once more. With programs like Ingreso Mínimo Vital (IMV), created in 2020 by royal decree-law, the goal is to prevent poverty and other forms of social exclusion from spreading further while also supporting those already affected. By 2024, it was shown in Spain’s social security statistics that Ingreso Mínimo Vital had already benefited 2,050,000 people living in 674,000 households total. With a monthly benefit of 658.81 euros per individual, the efforts made have proven highly effective for the people of Spain, and today, those same plans continue to move forward.

Solutions

The Disability Strategy 2022-2030 originated in 2022. This strategy takes into account those with disabilities, incorporating perspectives on women and children. Spain then started the European Child Guarantee program aimed at ensuring there is no exclusion among children and to support the children of Spain. The National ECG Plan has dedicated itself to ensuring that every child and adolescent has access to essential, inclusive and high-quality services. 

By working closely with public administrations, society and other partners, the plan promotes opportunities for early childhood education and care (ECPI), extracurricular activities, quality health care, nutritious meals and safe comfortable housing in the hopes of helping every child thrive. Right now, communities like Aragon have started early care and disability preventative programs for rural areas, while others like La Rioja have begun to grant financial assistance to children aged 0-6 while they are on a waiting list to receive universal care. Madrid also has a similar program giving grants to those from 0-3 years of age. Spain is doing all of this with the goal of universal access and 100% coverage.

Financial assistance like this through the extension of coverage and scholarships is important because it helps to give children access to vital life-saving treatments for things like communication disorders, motor disorders or learning disorders, just to name a few. This is especially important for those in the early preventative programs as this allows for outpatient or home-level care in rural areas through the assistance of nonprofits. Not only does this help with the children who originally did not have access to treatments, but this also helps to promote positive parenting, allowing parents to build positive family dynamics within their communities.

Looking Ahead

When further addressing the Spanish Disability Strategy 2022-2030, Isabel Rodríguez stated, “The minister also indicated that the initiative is a response to other cross-cutting challenges included in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, such as the climate emergency and the demographic challenge. The strategy also has an impact on rural areas, small towns, and the countryside, where people with disabilities also live and need to be listened to, accompanied, and cared for.” Providing things like jobs, housing and better educational opportunities for people with disabilities could significantly reduce their vulnerability.

In areas with high poverty rates, the risks go beyond just financial hardships. While these communities may experience higher crime and violence rates, it is important to recognize that despite the challenges Spain overall has faced, it remains one of the safest countries in Europe regarding violent crime. This resilience provides a solid foundation for continued progress in accessibility and inclusion, slowly but surely making headway when it comes to disability and poverty in Spain, paving the way for an exceptionally bright future for all!

– Imani Ambers

Imani is based in Cleveland, Ohio, USA and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Addressing Elderly Poverty in Azerbaijan

Elderly Poverty in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan’s government and international initiatives are reducing elderly poverty in Azerbaijan, but the world still needs to take more action to fight it. The Asian Development Bank estimated that Azerbaijan’s poverty rate was 5.5% in 2022, as opposed to the World Bank’s estimate of 49.6% in 2001, showing a significant decrease in poverty. However, it is not an uncommon sight to see elderly people working in manual labor well after their retirement age. Here is more information about elderly poverty in Azerbaijan including what is being done to address it.

Economy and Demography in Azerbaijan

Ever since gaining its independence in 1991, Azerbaijan has been experiencing gradual economic development efforts. Poverty rates have decreased steadily, and the country is slowly progressing into a position of economic stability despite economic challenges such as the economic crisis of 2009.

Azerbaijan’s population of 10 million is expected to increase by 8.8% by 2050 according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects that Azerbaijan’s GDP will grow by 2.5% in 2025 which the IMF described as moderate growth. The percentage of those 60 years or older in Azerbaijan is 11.6% and the World Bank is expecting that the number of elderly to make up 25% of the population by 2050.

The WHO also estimated that Azerbaijan’s life expectancy has increased by 7.68 years in 2021 compared to 2000 which means that the average Azerbaijan today will live until 72.9 years rather than 65.  All of this threatens an increase in elderly poverty in Azerbaijan due to increased constraints on the pensions and benefits system.

The Pensions System and Working Age in Azerbaijan

Much of the progress that Azerbaijan has made in fighting poverty and elderly poverty in the 2000s is due to its rapid economic growth which led to reforms to the pensions system. Pensions increased from 42% of the subsistence level in 2001 to 95% in 2008, according to the European Commission for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion. This change led to a decrease in poor households. These changes were part of the reason for the elimination of poverty amongst retirees in Azerbaijan.

However, elderly poverty is still a problem in Azerbaijan despite these reforms with those 65 years-old or over and living alone among the most vulnerable groups for poverty and social exclusion according to the European Commission.

Azerbaijan continues to make progress in access to its pension system to fight elderly poverty such as the introduction of an automatic and electronic pension payment system in 2019, which led to easier access to pensions. For example, during the first eight months of 2021, authorities automatically appointed 16,299 people, representing 60.2% of all pension assignments.

The Dependency Ratio

The World Bank expects Azerbaijan’s dependency ratio to increase from 44 dependents per 100 working-age persons in 2010 to 54 dependents per 100 of the working population by 2050 with old-age being the main driver of this increase. The dependency ratio is a measure of those who work and contribute the pensions and benefits system compared to those who do not work and rely on pensions and benefits. Azerbaijan’s rising population is also primarily driven by old age and increased life expectancy with reforms to pensions being the main policy used to fight elderly poverty, meaning that Azerbaijan will need more help to ensure that its policies promote more employment in order to fight elderly poverty.

Looking Ahead

Azerbaijan has made significant strides in reducing elderly poverty, but challenges remain due to its aging population and growing dependency ratio. Economic growth and pension reforms have helped but continued efforts are still needed to ensure that Azerbaijan’s pensions system and growth plans are well-equipped for its expected demographic changes. For example, there are currently no big global NGO initiatives fighting elderly poverty in Azerbaijan.

– Takey Elbarky

Takey is based in the UK and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr