Archive for category: Poverty Reduction

Information and stories about poverty reduction.

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The Boom of Freelancing in Pakistan

Freelancing in PakistanFreelancing in Pakistan has experienced one of the largest surges in recent years. Pakistani freelancers earned $557 million in foreign exchange during the first half of fiscal year 2025-26. Pakistan has 2.3 million active freelancers, ranking it among the top five freelancing countries in the world. The government has introduced several policies to support young freelancers, and the chief of the Pakistan Freelancers Association, Ibrahim Amin, states that this continual progress could lead to generating up to $3 billion in exports in a few years.

Freelancing provides citizens with opportunities to work remotely and earn dollar-denominated income, benefiting some unemployed young people. The rise in the gig economy emerged after the 2008 financial crisis, as people took on part-time jobs to meet basic needs. The online hiring system is less expensive and allows a greater range of applicants to apply for jobs, giving women and unemployed youth more opportunities while they stay at home.

Government Efforts and Poverty Reduction

The government has provided freelancers with a tax incentive to route payments through the country’s banking system. Freelancers registered with the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) pay only a 0.25% tax on foreign gains. The government has focused on improving freelancing prospects due to the high 11.4% unemployment rate among youth by creating the 2023 Freelancing Policy. The PSEB has also invested in digital skills. Reports indicate that most freelancers earn around $200 to $800 a month. The Software Export Board teaches new skills ranging from creative design to SEO.

Freelancing offers an alternative source of income outside sectors such as agriculture, which can be vulnerable to weather and other natural conditions. It provides a more stable opportunity by teaching new skills so people can escape poverty. Pakistan Tech Destination has 600,000 IT professionals registered, and PNY training teaches skills like jewelry making to help locals earn their keep. Global markets also connect rural populations, increasing the number of laborers earning higher than the minimum wage.

A New Opportunity for Women

Researchers reported that women’s workforce participation was 24% in 2014. After COVID-19, a shift toward IT marketing and online work gained popularity. Freelancing provides new opportunities for women in Pakistan, where it is culturally challenging for them to work in offices. Freelancing allows for flexible shifts, enabling women to balance house chores and family responsibilities.

Platforms like Fiverr, Upwork and PeoplePerHour have emerged, offering courses with important skills for women to improve their earnings. Some research estimates that women make up 15-25% of Pakistan’s freelancers. Freelancing offers women greater flexibility and access to income, although participation and earnings vary. It provides household income security and gradually enhances economic security for the country.

Future Prospects

Freelancing could contribute to Pakistan’s economic opportunities and help broaden access to income beyond major urban job markets. It might lead to a reduction in poverty with an increase in training centers for local people and tax incentives for freelancers to acquire earnings through formal banking systems. The government could recognize the advantages of this developing sector and aim to provide opportunities to address the lack of jobs in Pakistan.

– Eshal Fatima

Eshal is based in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan and focuses on Business and New Markets, Good News, Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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How A Local’s Action is Reducing Poverty in Lao Cai, Vietnam

Reducing Poverty in Lao Cai
Vietnam is a country located in Southeast Asia that has been rapidly reducing the poverty rate for the last few decades. This progress followed trade liberalization and wider economic reforms beginning in the 1990s. Although the country has greatly flourished in the past decades, several regions still face high poverty rates. One example is the Lao Cai province.

Background on the Lao Cai Province

Lao Cai Province faces a higher poverty rate than the country of Vietnam. Official 2024 figures put Lao Cai’s household poverty rate at 11.24%, compared with 1.93% nationally. One of the factors for the high rate is the landscape. Lao Cai is a predominantly mountainous region. This poses a huge problem because the province chiefly relies on agriculture to bring in revenue. Additionally, the mountainous region makes traveling to different areas difficult, resulting in less accessibility to trade and revenue.

The population also plays a part in the high poverty rate. The region’s population is composed of several ethnic minorities: H’mong, Tay, Dao, Nung and Giay. These minority groups make up 71% of Lao Cai’s inhabitants. Alongside living in a mountainous region that limits accessibility to other surrounding provinces, these ethnic groups face higher chances of poverty because of a lack of tourism industry knowledge, language barriers and business support services. Many people in these ethnic minorities are taught their native tongue, which means they face challenges comprehending in educational settings where the language spoken is standard Vietnamese. In recent years, actions have been taken to provide more opportunities for the people living in the province.

Local Action to Improve Connectivity

Some individuals living in Lao Cai province have taken the matter of reducing poverty in the region into their own hands. One of these people is Giang A Thu. Thu is a H’mong leader who resides in the Giang Pang village. His actions in bringing positive change to his village include talking with different families living in the village and listening to their concerns. By building these relationships, Thu creates a personal connection with the villagers and provides guidance on how to bring improvement to Giang Pang. Thu’s family willingly gave up some of their land to help improve accessibility to schools and markets. He also encouraged villagers to donate some of their land and collect material to improve infrastructure. Additionally, Thu has provided guidance to the villagers on how to expand their livestock and worked with local organizations to ensure improvements to the villagers’ lives become reality. According to VietnamNet, Giang Pang’s poverty rate fell from 24% in 2021 to 12% in 2025 as local infrastructure and livelihood initiatives expanded.

Looking Ahead

Involving locals in Lao Cai in reducing the poverty rate bridges the gap for minority groups, providing the resources needed to successfully bring new opportunities and accessibility into their lives.

– Dorothea A Pudwill

Dorothea is based in West Springfield, Massachusetts and focuses on Business and New Markets, and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Politics for Progress: Effective Political Strategies for Poverty Reduction

Aerial view of a person on a bench engaged in conversation.
Even when policymakers identify promising solutions, poverty can persist because public institutions do not always deliver services or distribute opportunities equitably. Research on governance and development suggests that accountable institutions, coordinated policies and sustained financial commitments can help make anti-poverty programs more effective. Political action matters not simply because leaders set goals, but because institutions determine how commitments translate into resources for communities. This article examines political strategies for poverty reduction through governance, accountability, cross-sector coordination and international cooperation.

Governance as a Poverty Reduction Tool

Effective governance can help governments direct resources toward marginalized communities and improve access to services. The United Nations Development Programme’s Human Development Report 2021–22 examines human development challenges and the role of policy and institutions. It does not, however, establish a simple rule that higher spending on health or education automatically produces better governance.

Rwanda provides an example of institutional reforms alongside expanded social protection and public services. The World Bank reports that national poverty fell from 58.9% in 2001 to 38.2% in 2017, while subsequent programs aimed to improve access to health, nutrition, education and safety nets. These outcomes involved multiple economic and policy factors rather than institutional reform alone.

Accountability Mechanisms and Service Delivery

Accountability mechanisms can help citizens assess whether governments deliver on public commitments. Audits can identify misuse of resources, while access to information and community feedback can give officials stronger incentives to address local needs. The World Bank’s World Development Report 2004 described how relationships between policymakers, service providers and citizens shape access to education and health care.

In Uganda, primary school enrollment rose from 3.6 million to 6.9 million between 1996 and 2001. The report connects the increase to a combination of political commitment, the abolition of school fees, economic conditions and public information—not to accountability measures alone.

A separate study of community-based monitoring in Ugandan primary health facilities, published in 2009, found that community meetings and feedback were associated with greater use of services, improved staff effort and better child health outcomes. This offers stronger direct evidence of a practical accountability mechanism.

Cross-Sector Coordination and Integrated Policy

Poverty has overlapping causes, including limited health care, poor education, inadequate housing and barriers to employment. Coordinating services across ministries and levels of government can help address these connected needs more effectively than isolated interventions.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Linking Indigenous Communities with Regional Development recommends combining policies related to land, entrepreneurship, infrastructure, skills and governance with greater Indigenous participation in decision-making. Its work on Canada similarly calls for partnerships that give Indigenous communities a stronger role in designing development priorities. These are policy recommendations, not evidence that a particular Canadian reform has already increased employment or reduced reliance on federal programs.

Such coordination can be reinforced by international frameworks that establish shared goals and support the measurement of progress.

International Policy Frameworks and Global Commitments

International agreements can encourage governments to incorporate poverty reduction into national plans and budgets. The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes the goal of ending poverty and calls for nationally led implementation and monitoring. Its targets offer a common framework, although formal commitments alone do not guarantee results.

Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Programme illustrates the use of public policy to address chronic food insecurity. Established in 2005—well before the 2030 Agenda was adopted in 2015—the program provides eligible households with food or cash transfers, often linked to public works, to stabilize consumption and protect assets. It has continued under later development frameworks and with support from international partners.

International commitments may help align donors and governments around poverty reduction, but their effect depends on funding, implementation and accountability within each country.

Reform-Minded Executives and Institutional Change

Political executives influence how public resources are allocated, which groups participate in decision-making and whether reforms continue over time. Policies that expand access to public services or protect accountability can strengthen economic inclusion, although their impact depends on how they are implemented.

Botswana is often discussed as an example of long-term economic growth following independence, supported in part by its institutional arrangements and management of mineral revenues. However, growth alone is not proof that all citizens share equally in the benefits. Botswana still faces substantial inequality and poverty challenges. Its experience shows why institutional effectiveness must be evaluated alongside distributional outcomes, rather than described as an unqualified success.

Lawmakers, Advocates and Pathways to Progress

Lawmakers shape poverty-reduction policy through legislation, oversight and budget decisions. Advocates work outside government by organizing communities, presenting evidence and pressing officials to fulfill their commitments. Both roles can contribute to sustained reform.

The global debt-relief movement of the late 1990s offers an example of coordinated pressure and policy change. Launched by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in 1996 and strengthened in 1999, the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative sought to reduce unsustainable debt burdens so eligible countries could direct more resources toward development priorities. Alongside the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative, it has delivered more than $100 billion in debt relief to 37 participating countries. Debt relief can create fiscal space for health, education and other services, although the eventual poverty impact depends on how countries use those resources.

Looking Ahead

Governance and political action are important tools in reducing poverty, but neither is a substitute for effective implementation. The cases of Uganda, Rwanda and Ethiopia show how public services, social protection and accountability mechanisms can support development when policies are funded and monitored. International coordination, including debt relief, can strengthen these efforts.

Voters and advocates can support leaders who protect civic participation, invest in essential services and make public spending more transparent. For policymakers, the task is to translate commitments into measurable benefits for communities facing poverty. Progress depends on sustained cooperation among institutions, lawmakers, advocates and the people their policies are intended to serve.

– Charles Bakar

Charles is based in Montréal, Québec, Canada and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Social Media and Rule of Law in Northern Ireland

Rule of Law in Northern IrelandOn June 8, 2026, a Sudanese man stabbed another man in Belfast. Numerous videos captured the attack, and people quickly shared them across social media. By the following day, the footage had been viewed and reshared millions of times, fueling speculation and further undermining the already fragile rule of law in Northern Ireland. Social media not only fueled speculation but also mobilized large groups of, in many cases, teenage boys and young men. On the evening of June 9th, these groups rioted across the city.

The violence that followed has been described as both “race riots” and “race-based pogroms.” Rioters went door to door searching for homes occupied by immigrants, intending to set them on fire. In several cases, they succeeded. According to The Irish Times, the violence forced 27 people from ethnic minority communities to flee their homes.

Fragility and the Rule of Law in Northern Ireland

Belfast is no stranger to demonstrating how fragile the rule of law can be. Many communities in Northern Ireland feel marginalized, powerless and ignored by political leaders. As a result, some people place their trust in violent paramilitary organizations that exploit these grievances and deepen divisions within their communities. Exactly one year earlier, on June 9th, 2025, Northern Ireland witnessed a similar breakdown in the rule of law after authorities charged two Romanian Roma teenagers with the rape of a young girl. Rioters again targeted immigrants, burned homes and clashed with police.

Politicians from across Northern Ireland’s political divide condemned the violence and called for calm. Since then, The Guardian has reported that police have arrested 19 people for their alleged involvement in the riots, including a 16-year-old boy.

While misinformation helped spark the violence, it does not solely explain why people were so quick to participate. Most of the riots unfolded in communities that have experienced long periods of deprivation, political alienation and limited economic opportunities. These conditions make communities more susceptible and reliant on groups and individuals who exploit fear, resentment and social division for their personal gain. 

How Poverty Affects Northern Ireland

Paramilitary organizations are most prevalent in Northern Ireland’s most deprived communities. Around 12% of the population lives in absolute or relative poverty. Although this figure has fallen compared with previous years, it remains the highest poverty rate in the U.K. These organizations thrive in areas affected by poverty because they often operate as alternative authorities for people who feel excluded from mainstream politics. Northern Ireland has also historically experienced higher levels of worklessness than the rest of the U.K., with 31% of working-age people not in employment. Raising living standards and expanding economic opportunities would reduce the dependence some communities place on these organizations.

How Is Northern Ireland Tackling Poverty?

In 2025, the Northern Ireland Executive published its Anti-Poverty Strategy. However, charities including Save the Children strongly criticized the strategy for lacking clear priorities, funding, an action plan, measurable milestones and accountability. Around 200,000 people face hunger and hardship, while approximately one in five households across Northern Ireland experience food insecurity. In 2025, the Trussell Trust and its network of food banks distributed 67,851 emergency food parcels. Although this represented the lowest annual total since 2020, it still highlights the significant level of need across the region.

Standing Against Violence

On Saturday, June 13, large counter-protests took place in both Belfast and Derry/Londonderry. More than 20,000 people attended the Belfast demonstration alone. The atmosphere reflected solidarity and unity as people from different communities and backgrounds stood together against the violence. After the riots ended, residents helped board up damaged buildings and clear the streets. Among the crowd gathered outside City Hall, one placard summed up the mood: “Riots don’t speak for Belfast.”

– Michael Willis

Michael is based in Belfast, Northern Ireland and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Updates on SDG 3 in Indonesia

SDG 3 in IndonesiaThe United Nations’ third Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 3) focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting wellbeing for everyone. This includes initiatives like reducing maternal and child mortality, improving disease prevention and providing universal health coverage.

These ambitions are closely connected to the fight against global poverty and have prompted many low and middle-income countries to take action. Among them, Indonesia stands out for its planning, financing and unique ability to overcome population challenges. These updates on SDG 3 in Indonesia demonstrate how the country is expanding equitable healthcare access.

Poverty in Indonesia 

It’s important to first recognize the state of poverty in Indonesia. While significant growth over the past two decades has allowed the country to achieve middle-income status, 5.4% of citizens remain in extreme poverty. While this figure may not sound daunting on its own, it does when one recognizes that Indonesia is home to nearly 286 million people and that means that 5.4% equal more than 15 million Indonesians living in extreme poverty. This manifests into real-world effects, such as:

  • Low wages 
  • Job insecurity
  • Lack of infrastructure (i.e. electricity, roads, clean water and more) 
  • Underfunded education systems
  • Poor health and unequal access to healthcare

That last effect is particularly noteworthy. The intersection of extreme poverty and the world’s fourth-largest population has made expanding healthcare access in Indonesia an uphill battle.

Why Population Matters 

How many people live in a country may determine how well the nation’s government is able to respond to the health needs of its citizens. For example, a large population introduces a daunting logistical strain in developing countries with fewer resources. Such nations often lack the infrastructure necessary to provide equitable access to healthcare for their entire population.

India is a key example of a large population impeding the health progress of a developing country. Despite attempts to improve health services, India continues to lack easily accessible healthcare and remains behind on SDG 3 initiatives. A major reason for these gaps is the nation’s status as the most populated country in the world, with more than 1.4 billion citizens.

While having a large population certainly makes it more difficult to improve healthcare access, it does not make it impossible. Indonesia’s recent successes show that the population problem can be overcome through global partnerships, government planning and strategic financing.

How Indonesia is Working Toward SDG 3

Since the Ministry of Health first launched the Health System Transformation Agenda (HSTA) in 2022, Indonesia has undergone sweeping health reforms. This has included efforts to enhance the resilience, workforce and technology of Indonesia’s healthcare system.

Specifically, Indonesia’s government has partnered with organizations like the World Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank to finance the HSTA’s goals. With these investments, Indonesia has managed to:

  • Bring nearly 90% of the population under national health insurance coverage 
  • Increase the amount of high-quality, low-cost community health centers in Eastern Indonesia by 60% 
  • Invest more than $1 billion in nutrition, early child development, and family planning 
  • Expand access to medical equipment in both urban and rural public health facilities 
  • Foster innovations in medical procurement and development

Through these initiatives, the government has vastly improved the state of public health in Indonesia. Prior to the HSTA, financial barriers prevented many citizens from seeking care, with catastrophic health expenditure rates as high as 4.5%. Now, these rates have dropped to 2%, and the national insurance plan covered more than 260 million people.

Vertical Hospitals 

Aside from blanket reforms, Indonesia has also created specialized medical facilities to target specific problems that the HSTA seeks to address. These hubs are known as “vertical” hospitals, and have been strategically constructed across the country to address the needs of both urban and rural populations. Programs offered at these facilities are expansive, including cancer treatment, infectious diseases and even mental health.

In addition to immediate improvements in quality of life, making healthcare more accessible and effective has had a sizable impact on reducing poverty by: 

  • Decreasing the direct cost of treatment 
  • Limiting transportation costs to receive care from distant facilities 
  • Preventing debilitating illnesses that impede one’s ability to work and earn a living

Looking Ahead

While more work is necessary to improve healthcare access around the world, updates on SDG 3 in Indonesia show that significant progress is being made. By leveraging international investments towards better infrastructure, upgraded technology and national healthcare coverage, Indonesia has improved access to high-quality medicine and treatment. 

As Indonesia continues to expand these initiatives, better health may enable citizens to save funds that would have previously gone towards expensive and ineffective healthcare. Improved wellbeing may also allow individuals to work more frequently, earn higher wages and improve their socioeconomic status.

– Brogan Jones

Brogan Jones is based in Norman, OK, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Updates on SDG 1 in Yemen

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

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

Poverty Challenges Continue Across Yemen

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

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

The ERRY Program Builds Rural Resilience

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

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

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

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

Urban Development Projects Create Economic Opportunities

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

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

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

Looking Ahead for SDG 1

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

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

– Angela Qi

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

Photo: Pxhere

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Poverty Reduction in Belize Shows Continued Progress

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

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

Using Data To Guide Poverty Reduction

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

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

Programs Supporting Vulnerable Communities

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

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

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

Challenges Remain

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

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

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

Looking Ahead

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

– Lily Hoch

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

Photo: Flickr

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3 Things To Know About Fragility and Rule of Law in the Maldives

Fragility and Rule of Law in the MaldivesThe Maldives — a modern honeymooning paradise. However, when it comes to fragility and the rule of law in the Maldives, recent years show mixed success, creating areas of vulnerability that have the potential to undermine the protection of its population. Yet, the country has made real progress, especially with the entrenchment of the separation of powers in the 2008 constitution, making the country increasingly democratically robust and building a more reliable legal framework for the Maldivian people.

The Rule of Law and Poverty in the Maldives

Fragility and the rule of law in the Maldives are deeply interconnected: where legal institutions are weak or politically compromised, the state struggles to protect its citizens, enforce rights equally or hold the powerful to account. The Maldives presents a compelling case study in this dynamic. As a small island nation heavily dependent on tourism revenue, it faces unique vulnerabilities — including economic inequality, geographic dispersal across atolls and limited institutional capacity — that can compound fragility in its legal system.

These structural pressures have a direct bearing on poverty and access to justice. According to the World Bank, while the Maldives has achieved relatively low headline poverty rates, significant inequality persists between the capital Malé and the outer islands, where public services — including legal aid and court access — are far less available. For citizens living in poverty, particularly those outside the capital, navigating the justice system is a considerable challenge: legal representation is costly, travel to courts is expensive and awareness of legal rights remains uneven. This means that when fragility and the rule of law in the Maldives are under strain — whether through judicial interference, restricted press freedom, or concentrated executive power — it is those already marginalized by poverty who are most exposed to the consequences. Here are three key things to know about its recent state:

1. Reforms

The People’s Majlis (Maldivian Parliament) has driven recent legal reforms and amendments that promote human rights, more effective governance and environmental protection. For example, the legislature revised the Maldives Penal Code to move away from punitive measures and instead foster a rehabilitative approach by decriminalizing certain offences. A marked swell toward reforms that aim to enhance legal accountability has emerged, directly addressing fragility and the rule of law in the Maldives. These moves from the central government have had a tone-setting effect on the citizens of the Maldives, fostering an active rights-aware society that can continue to effectively pressure the government into reducing fragility and promoting democracy.

2. Threats to Judicial Independence

However, despite promising moves since 2008, this fledgling democracy certainly has some unavoidable cracks in the robustness of the rule of law, which have become particularly visible since President Muizzu took office. The tightening of media control and the restriction on protests and journalists reveals the fragility in the 2008 constitution. Most notably, threats have come from a subversion of judicial independence, where the executive allegedly suspended three Supreme Court justices in an alleged intimidation attempt to secure their support for the government during a constitutional review. This threat also drew attention in a joint submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review in April 2025, which highlighted elements of fragility and the rule of law in the Maldives as areas of serious concern.

3. Response to Fragility

Despite this threat, one cannot ignore that while the Maldivian people have experienced some threats to the rule of law — due to corruption and the concentration of power within the executive branch of government — significant moves exist to redress this overreach of power, ultimately aiming to retain power in the hands of public interest. This includes the drafting of an Asset Declaration Bill, as well as the Anti-Corruption Commission expanding its presence. Equally, the role of other power-limiting institutions like the Bar Council is being clearly exercised through their call for President Muizzu to return the bill — which had stripped the three Supreme Court judges of their positions — back to Parliament for revision.

Looking Ahead

It is clear that while threats have certainly tested fragility and the rule of law in the Maldives, overall the country demonstrates clear momentum in continually reducing fragility and ultimately improving and bolstering the protection of citizens in this evolving democracy.

– Amy Carpenter

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

Photo: Pexels

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Policies That Lifted Millions Out of Poverty Around the World

Policies That Lifted Millions Out of PovertyGlobal poverty has declined in recent decades and much of this progress stems from policies that have helped lift millions out of poverty. Governments and organizations did not rely on chance; they implemented targeted strategies that improved incomes, expanded opportunities and strengthened social protection. Here is an overview of several policies that have helped lift millions out of poverty, highlighting real-world examples and why they worked.

Conditional Cash Transfers: Direct Support That Works

One of the most effective policies that lifted millions out of poverty is conditional cash transfers. These programs provide money to low-income families while encouraging education and health care. 

In Brazil, the Bolsa Família program helped alleviate extreme poverty and improve school attendance. Low-income families with children receive payments in return for sending their children to school and ensuring regular health care checkups. According to the World Bank, the program has contributed significantly to Brazil’s declining poverty and inequality.

Mexico also implemented a similar program, Prospera, which has shown long-term improvements in education and health outcomes. These programs succeed because they address immediate needs while investing in future generations. 

Investments in Rural Development and Agriculture

Many impactful policies that have lifted people out of poverty have focused on the rural populations, where poverty is often concentrated. In Vietnam, rural development and agricultural reform played a central role in poverty reduction. This began in the ’80s with the Đổi Mới reforms. 

The government moved away from collective farming toward a market-oriented system that gave households control over land and production. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) these reforms have helped reduce poverty from 58% in 1993 to 16% by 2006, largely driven by improvements in rural livelihoods and agricultural productivity. These reforms worked because they empowered individuals, improved market access and encouraged economic participation. 

Expanding Access to Education

Education plays a vital role in policies that have lifted millions out of poverty, particularly when governments prioritize girls’ education. Bangladesh made major progress by increasing female school enrollment and supporting women’s employment in industries like textiles. Programs that provided stipends for girls to attend school helped delay early marriage and improve long-term earning potential. 

According to UNICEF, Bangladesh achieved near gender parity in primary and secondary education. Educated women contribute more to the workforce, support healthier families and help break cycles of poverty. 

Universal Health Care and Social Protection Systems

Strong social protection systems represent another group of policies that lifted millions out of poverty. These systems reduce financial shocks and improve overall well-being. In Rwanda, the government introduced community-based health insurance, expanding access to medical care. 

Citizens gained affordable health care, reducing out-of-pocket expenses and preventing families from falling deeper into poverty. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights Rwanda as a model for expanding health care coverage in low-income countries. Health care access supports productivity and stability, both of which drive poverty reduction. 

Economic Growth Paired With Inclusive Policies

Economic growth alone does not reduce poverty; governments must pair growth with inclusive strategies. China provides a clear example of this combination. 

China experienced rapid economic growth while implementing targeted poverty alleviation programs in rural areas. These programs included infrastructure development, relocation initiatives and job creation. The World Bank estimates that China has lifted more than 800 million people out of poverty since 1980, largely through these initiatives.

China’s approach shows that growth must reach marginalized communities to create a lasting impact. 

Why These Policies Matter Today

These examples of policies that have lifted millions out of poverty reveal common traits: 

  • Governments targeted the most vulnerable populations
  • Leaders invested in long-term human development
  • Programs combined immediate relief with structural change
  • Organizations like The Borgen Project advocate for similar approaches because they produce measurable results. 

Global poverty remains a challenge, but these successes prove that effective policies can drive meaningful change. When countries adopt and adapt these strategies, they move closer to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of ending poverty worldwide. 

– Leah Denning

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

Photo: Pixabay

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Poverty Reduction Efforts Across Africa

Poverty Reduction Efforts Across Africa

From East Africa, home to Kenya, to the western coast of Sierra Leone, the continent is home to diverse populations that have both experienced and influenced much of modern history. Africa features climates ranging from tropical beaches to vast desert regions. Despite decades of systemic and economic challenges, countries across Africa have made significant progress in reducing poverty through foreign aid and locally driven social programs.

Kenya’s Clean Start Africa

International collaboration remains important in the mission to reduce poverty across Africa. Local social programs have also become central to this effort. For example, Kenya is advancing local social initiatives through Clean Start Africa, an organization that empowers women and girls through rehabilitation and reintegration.

Clean Start Africa was founded in Kenya with a mission to support women and girls affected by the criminal justice system, particularly those from vulnerable communities. The organization works to reintegrate participants into society through a three-pillar model.

The first pillar, dignified rehabilitation, prepares women for release by emphasizing healing and leadership development. The second pillar, re-entry pathways, supports formerly incarcerated women through peer mentorship, networking opportunities, business training and much more. The final pillar focuses on systemic change by speaking against laws, policies and social conditions that contribute to women’s vulnerability. 

International Support Through WPHF 

The United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) supports local projects across Africa and women-led initiatives focused on peacebuilding and gender equality. International programs such as WPHF have contributed significantly to poverty reduction efforts across Africa by investing in and strengthening women’s leadership. Funding allocated through WPHF enhances women’s participation and leadership across the continent. 

In Nigeria, WPHF supports projects that work to reduce violence against women and promote human rights and gender equality. WPHF has partnered with several organizations, including Ambassadors of Dialogue, Climate and Reintegration, Grassroots Researchers Association, Green Concern for Development and Muslim Sisters Organization. These partnerships further the WPHF’s agenda, which focuses on women’s safety and gender equality in leadership roles.

Outside Nigeria, WPHF has also supported displaced women in Yemen, contributed to Uganda’s fight against sexual and gender-based violence and aided women in Mali in their efforts to participate in peacebuilding and economic recovery. The program highlights the importance of worldwide investment in women’s empowerment and underscores that when women are given the tools and freedom to succeed, it benefits national economies as a whole.

Expanding Women’s Economic Leadership

Other international partnerships share the same focus on helping women across Africa gain economic stability. Similar to WPHF, the U.S. Department of State established the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) in 2010. AWEP operates in 44 countries across Africa through local chapters that serve as business and networking centers. The program was expanded in 2022 under the Joe Biden administration.

The U.S. Department of State created AWEP to provide African businesswomen with the tools, resources and opportunities needed to grow sustainable businesses. AWEP also encourages women to become community leaders and participate in international trade, helping create more economic opportunities across Africa.

Combined Impact

Poverty reduction efforts across Africa highlight the value and dedication of local social programs and international partnerships. Programs like Clean Start Africa, along with the WPHF and AWEP, demonstrate how important support and civic involvement can be in strengthening communities. As more countries globally adapt, more opportunities for women will continue to reflect that women’s empowerment is tied to poverty reduction efforts. Both are attainable through foreign aid and global partnership and will create lasting growth and social progress. 

– Rayonna M Sander

Rayonna is based in Chicago, IL, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash