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Being Poor in China: Persistent Inequality and Progress

Poverty Reduction in ChinaWith a population of more than 1.4 billion and a rapidly growing economy, China has made poverty reduction a central national goal, portraying it as essential to lasting economic development and stability. Here is information about being poor in China and how the country is addressing poverty.

Poverty Down but Inequality Still Persists

Between 1981 and 2004, China lifted more than 600 million people out of poverty through rapid economic growth, urbanization and increased participation in global trade and investment.

Despite these achievements, many rural communities did not benefit equally from China’s economic growth. Government resource allocation and development opportunities often favored other areas, and many rural residents relied on farming and self-sufficiency when they faced economic hardship. Being poor in China often meant facing unequal access to education, health care and infrastructure despite China’s broader economic success.

Rural communities received lower educational investment than urban areas, which contributed to higher dropout rates and lower high school enrollment. Girls from rural and migrant backgrounds often faced lower parental expectations and received fewer educational resources, further limiting their chances for advancement. These disparities highlighted the need for targeted government intervention. 

China’s Targeted Poverty Alleviation Program

 In response to these challenges, China launched its Targeted Poverty Alleviation (TPA) program in 2013 to reduce poverty in some of the country’s poorest communities. The initiative included several programs, such as the Educational Poverty Alleviation Program, the Medical Poverty Alleviation Program and the Poverty Relocation Program. These efforts targeted the specific needs of impoverished households by improving access to education, health care and economic opportunities.

Researchers report that TPA narrowed the rural-urban income gap, improved health outcomes for low-income households and supported infrastructure development in poorer regions. The program funded projects such as road construction, land improvement and the relocation of residents from remote areas with limited economic opportunities to regions with better access to jobs and public services. As these efforts expanded across targeted regions, China eliminated extreme poverty by 2020, meaning no citizens lived on less than $3 per day under the international poverty line. 

The Results of the Targeted Poverty Alleviation Program

To direct resources toward the communities most in need, the Chinese government identified 823 national poor counties as key targets under TPA. For many families, being poor in China often meant living in one of these central or western counties, many of which were located in mountainous and remote regions with limited infrastructure and economic opportunities. The government concentrated financial support and poverty-reduction initiatives in these areas.

Researchers report that these efforts produced significant results. By the end of 2020, China had eliminated rural extreme poverty. The government removed 832 counties from the national “poverty county” list and declared that it had eradicated extreme poverty nationwide.

Targeted poverty regions also experienced strong economic growth during the TPA period. GDP in these areas increased by approximately 72%, outpacing the national average. Social development improved gradually before accelerating in the later years of the program. Environmental outcomes proved less consistent. Although vegetation cover increased by 2,959 km² and NDVI indicators showed slight improvement, overall ecosystem quality did not consistently improve during the same period.

China’s Targeted Poverty Alleviation program stands as one of the largest poverty reduction efforts in recent history, playing a role in rapid social and economic development. The program delivered major gains in income, infrastructure and relocation efforts designed to improve living conditions in remote communities.

Looking Ahead

Although China officially eliminated extreme poverty, challenges related to unequal development remain. In many cases, the experience of being poor in China has shifted rather than disappeared, and disparities in education, healthcare, and economic opportunity still affect certain rural communities.

Overall, China’s experience demonstrates how targeted government intervention can improve living conditions and expand economic opportunities. As policymakers continue to address regional disparities, the long-term success of these efforts will depend on ensuring that future growth reaches communities across the country.

– Alexandra Pedroza

Alexandra is based in Salt Lake City, UT, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Disability and Poverty in Vanuatu: 5 Initiatives To Combat the Crisis

Disability and Poverty in VanuatuVanuatu, a small island country in the South Pacific, suffers from severe poverty rates, especially among the disabled community. Women and children suffer the most in terms of disability and inequality. 

Disability and poverty in Vanuatu have widened the economic gap; without access to the proper education or special needs to navigate the world, poverty rates continue to rise. Organizations and government initiatives are emerging to bridge the gap between the disabled and the rest of society.

Economic Background of Vanuatu

Vanuatu is a lower- to middle-income island country that has experienced declining economic growth in recent years—5.8% economic growth in 2023, 1% growth in 2024 and 1.5% growth in 2025. Statistics show a low school attendance rate with only 52% attending junior secondary school and 26% showing up for senior secondary school. Child labor is a frequent problem in the country as well, as a large portion of kids between the ages of 5 and 17 have been exploited for it. The poverty rate in Vanuatu is roughly 19.50%, which is the equivalent of $3 USD. The multi-dimensional poverty rate is at a stark 27.31%. 

The types of disabilities the people experience are often more along the lines of learning disabilities, issues with reading and writing, and mathematical calculations. Children often drop out of school as a result of not having glasses to see properly. Here are five initiatives that are addressing disability and poverty in Vanuatu.

1. Vanuatu Skills Partnership (VSP)

The Vanuatu Skills Partnership (VSP) is an initiative that helps students with disabilities gain access to programs that cater to their specific needs, while providing targeted support for each career path. The Partnership works closely with the Ministry of Education to develop programs such as disability specific education programs and new skills policies, giving providers the ability to qualify individuals for training programs. The program also offers sign language training to better assist the deaf community. The program offers a renewed chance for people in the disabled community to live meaningful lives and contribute to the economy and society. Individuals with disabilities who were prevented from success in the past are finding renewed opportunities in tourism, farming, food distribution, construction and business investments.

2. Vanuatu Disability Promotion & Advocacy Association (VDPA)

Established in 1999, this organization serves as the primary advocacy group for the disabled community. Despite the United Nations’ ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), Vanuatu still struggles to implement effective programs. With the VDPA, advocacy has continued to grow over the years since this ratification. It has been able to provide capacity building that strengthens disability organizations across the country, and the organization partners with the VSP to create collaborative approaches to disability programs. It also spreads awareness to change attitudes and remove barriers already in place.

3. Vanuatu Society for People With Disability (VSPD)

The Vanuatu Society for People with Disability (VSPD) offers access programs so that people with disabilities have easier access to their rights, specific services and opportunities to be able to contribute and support their society. The VSPD also supports advocating for community-based inclusive development, which also supports both boys and girls within the community, and also bridges gender gaps in the country’s disability problem. With the nation’s National Gender Equality Policy (NGEP), the VSPD focuses on contributing to the end of violence and discrimination against women and girls. The VSPD has a strong partnership with NGOs and government agencies, including Save the Children, Oxfam, CARE and World Vision, to assist with implementing their vision and breaking down the barriers for the disabled community.

4. VSPD and VDPA Partnership – Strategic Plans for 2024–2029

In 2025, the VSPD and VAPD partnered to develop a strategic set of plans for the years 2024 to 2029 to strengthen and further their disability advocacy programs. The plans are set to fully implement the National Disability-Inclusive Development Policy, which aims to fully remove the barriers for the disabled, and the Inclusive Education Policy, to align with the United Nations CRPD.

5. Provincial Disability Officers and Committees

The Ministry of Justice and Community Services partnered with the VSP to put disability officers and committees in highly populated parts of Vanuatu. The officers work with committees to ensure these programs are properly implemented and that the proper resources are available to create success for the national mission.

Looking Ahead

These initiatives have taken steps to alleviate disability and poverty in Vanuatu, advancing its target to addressing their poverty issues and human rights advancement. 

– Benjamin Elland

Benjamin is based in East Lansing, MI, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Addressing the Gender Pay Gap in the Gambia

Gender Pay Gap in the GambiaThe Gambia is a small nation nestled in the vicinity of the much larger Senegal, and its population thrives along the banks of the Gambia River. The country faces multiple problems of inequality, with the gender pay gap in the Gambia remaining one of the most persistent challenges. According to the United Nations Population Fund, the wage gap between males and females was almost 65% in 2022, ranking amongst the lowest in Africa and the world.

Women earn approximately $700 less than men. This means there is a higher chance for women to be in poverty than men, especially since the COVID-19 restrictions. In Gambia, women tend to work in the informal sector. This can range from working in the hospitality and tourism sector in urban areas to the agricultural sector in rural areas, where they constitute 50% of the workforce.

What Is the Gambia Doing Right?

  1. The Gambia, despite struggling with poverty, keeps its unemployment rate quite low, and the rate is only 5.8% in comparison to 7.2% for men. This improvement has expanded economic opportunities for Gambian women and increased their access to income.
  2. Gambian women now hold almost 30% of managerial and middle-management positions, reflecting this progress, which is significantly higher than in countries with higher literacy rates, such as Egypt. This share continues to rise as Gambia relies less heavily on agriculture.
  3. Improvements to Gambia’s education sector have driven greater female employment, leading to a literacy rate of 50.8% amongst women, in comparison to men at only 41.6%. This includes women outperforming men in increasing their reading and mathematics proficiency.

Where Is the Gambia Struggling?

  1. Informal Sector: While Gambia has improved female employment rates, according to the LFS, in reality, about eight out of 10 women worked in the informal sector, which widened the gender pay gap because men dominated higher-paying white-collar jobs.
  2. Financial Sector: As the IMF noted, only 2% of women hold bank accounts in contrast to 8% of men. Gambian women have a low rate of financial literacy and use of financial services, including loans for businesses. Limited access to financial services has restricted women-led businesses and startups across the country.
  3. Government Sector: While local governments have improved female representation, the central government and parliament still persist in a massive imbalance. The underrepresentation of women in politics weakens efforts to implement policies that reduce the gender pay gap.
  4. Global Events: The COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have widened gender pay gaps. These crises directly affected nine out of 10 working women in the informal sector, especially in the tourism sector. Agricultural uncertainty also prevents many women from achieving optimal productivity.
  5. Inflation: Rising living costs highlight gender inequality by forcing many women to remain financially dependent on men. This exposes the reality of the unequal divide between the genders, as living costs force women to remain dependent on men.

Solutions

In 2024, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare announced a 10-year plan to increase the pace of removing gender inequality, with the gender pay gap in Gambia being at the forefront of the plan. The government plans to implement the strategy between 2025-2034.

In 2025, the Ministry launched a popular program in partnership with the UNDP called the Gender Equality Seal for Public Institutions. The program focuses on improving educational opportunities and workplace equality. It connects public institutions to other similar establishments around the world and prepares them to improve their inclusivity and accessibility skills for women.

The Path Ahead

High fertility rates among young women, driven by low female school enrolment, keep many Gambian women out of the workforce and contribute to pay inequality. Improvements in education have helped reduce fertility rates among young women. 

There is a chance to reduce gender pay gaps by only provisioning better educational resources, such as the construction of new schools, and giving them access to basic school supplies. 

Similarly, child marriage has been a persistent issue in Gambian society, but a higher educational rate amongst girls and even boys has led to improvement in changing perspectives and an increasing rate of marriages after the age of 18.

This shows that there is a chance for tackling the gender pay gap in the Gambia if there are some basic provisions of education and opportunities for young girls.

– Tanay Ashok Sonthalia

Tanay is based in Melbourne, Australia and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Sister City Partnerships and Access to Education

Sister City Partnerships and Access to EducationOften associated with cultural exchange and diplomacy, Sister city partnerships can, however, also play a meaningful role in expanding access to education in underserved communities. By connecting local institutions across borders, these programs create opportunities for students who may otherwise have limited exposure to global learning experiences. 

The partnership between San Diego and Jalalabad offers a lens through which to examine how city-to-city collaboration can support educational access while also highlighting the broader impact and limitations of these initiatives. 

Sister City Partnerships and Access to Education

Sister city programs, often coordinated by organizations such as Sister Cities International, are designed to foster mutual understanding through cultural, economic and educational exchanges. In many cases, these partnerships include student programs, school collaborations and community-led initiatives that contribute to long-term development goals. Education, in particular, serves as a key pathway through which these relationships can address inequality and expand opportunity.

Bryan Fisher, the president of the Matsuyama-Sacramento Sister City Corporation, highlighted how these partnerships function at the community level. “We have great access to high schools in the SCUSD district,” Fisher told The Borgen Project in an interview. “At C.K. McClatchy High School, we have a large economically disadvantaged population. Through our sister-city relationship with CKM, we have students who do a homestay there during the spring and summer. We also sponsor a student trip to Japan every two years with Rosemont and CKM.”

Programs like these provide students with opportunities that extend beyond traditional classroom learning. Through homestays and exchange visits, participants gain firsthand exposure to different cultures and educational environments. The Sacramento-based program, for example, hosts students from Japan and organizes trips abroad for local students every two years, allowing participants to engage in immersive learning experiences.

Building Long-Term Impact Through Exchange

These types of exchanges can have lasting educational and social impacts. According to Fisher, one of the most important outcomes is the formation of long-term relationships. “When students host students from Japan and travel to Japan, it’s a great opportunity for them to make those long-term relationships and connections,” he explained. “Many of my students do and still maintain those relationships.”

The structure of these programs contributes to their effectiveness. Unlike short-term or virtual interactions, extended exchanges allow students to build deeper connections. “The proximity and the ability to get to know the students for two weeks go beyond the superficial encounters students would get online,” Fisher said. This level of engagement can enhance cultural understanding, improve communication skills and broaden educational aspirations—particularly for students from underserved backgrounds.

In regions affected by conflict and economic instability, access to education, especially for girls, can be limited. Sister city collaborations can help address these gaps by supporting local initiatives, providing resources and facilitating knowledge exchange between communities.

Challenges Facing Sister City Partnerships

While these programs offer meaningful benefits, they are not without challenges. One of the most significant barriers is funding. “The biggest struggle we have is long-term funding and engagement from our community,” Fisher noted. Like many volunteer-driven organizations, sister city programs often rely on sustained local support, which can fluctuate over time.

Demographic shifts also present challenges. As founding members of these organizations age, maintaining momentum can become more difficult. “Our organization has been around for 45 years and the community that founded it is aging out,” Fisher said. “Finding new and younger people is a struggle.”

Access and equity within the programs themselves can also be uneven. While some schools and families are well-positioned to participate in exchange programs, others face barriers related to cost and resources. “It’s often easier to find families interested in hosting at some schools like CKM that have a student population with some wealth and with room to host,” Fisher explained. “Going beyond these types of schools and families, our organization has trouble with funding more expensive experiences that we could offer to more disadvantaged groups.”

These limitations underscore the importance of sustained investment and inclusive program design. Without adequate funding and outreach, the benefits of sister city partnerships may not reach the students who could benefit most. Addressing these gaps is essential for ensuring that educational opportunities are distributed more equitably.

Final Remarks

Despite these challenges, sister city partnerships remain a valuable tool for expanding access to education and reducing global inequality. By fostering direct connections between communities, these programs create pathways for learning, cultural exchange and long-term collaboration. When supported by consistent funding and community engagement, they can help broaden opportunities for students in both partner cities.

While sister city programs alone cannot resolve systemic barriers to education, they offer a practical and community-driven approach to expanding access and fostering connections that extend far beyond the classroom.

– Jason Hill

Jason is based in Fullerton, CA, USA and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Social Policies in Paris and Barcelona Reduce Poverty

Social Policies in Paris and BarcelonaAs urban populations across Europe continue to grow, cities are increasingly at the forefront of tackling poverty and inequality. Research shows that urban poverty across the world is shaped not only by income disparity but also by access to housing, health care and other social services. As a result, local governments, which are politically and geographically closer to these challenges, are increasingly important catalysts in designing responsive solutions.

For decades, Paris and Barcelona have led their respective national gender-equality policies to promote urban poverty reduction and prevention. Their application of social policies such as gender-responsive budgeting and comprehensive social service access supports women and children in Barcelona and Paris. These groups are most likely to be systemically impacted by poverty and are prioritized as recipients of targeted care.

Paris, France: Tackling Homelessness and Supporting Families

Despite being France’s largest and most economically productive city, post-pandemic rates of urban poverty in Paris remain higher than the national average. It is widely recognized that the principal driver of such inequality in Paris is the lack of affordable, stable housing. This issue disproportionately affects women and single-parent families.

Since 2000, the French government has attempted to combat the housing crisis. It does this by implementing laws that require cities to have at least 25% social housing, meaning lodgings suitable for low-income families or those with additional needs. The city of Paris currently meets the legal requirements and in 2022, announced plans to reach 40% social housing within the next decade. 

These plans include repurposing “offices, empty schools and garages” to meet growing demand and provide secure, stable housing for thousands more Parisians. As house prices and rents continue to rise across the city, sustaining these policies remains essential to preventing further inequality among low-income households.

Income distribution in Paris is uneven and wage disparities in the region amount to a 21% gap between women and men. Families living in the suburbs, known as the “banlieues,” face further barriers to the kinds of social inclusion that drive poverty alleviation. In response, the Parisian government has made significant progress in supporting low-income, single-parent families, which are statistically more likely to be headed by women.

Monthly financial aid helps reduce cost burdens and stabilize these households, preventing them from falling into urban poverty. By directly addressing housing insecurity and its disproportionate effect on single-parent households, these policies demonstrate how Paris’ structural investment in affordable housing and social support can reduce urban poverty, particularly among women-led households.

Barcelona, Spain: Gender-Responsive Public Spending

Barcelona is a vibrant, youthful city with heralded architecture and cultural icons. However, it also experiences disproportionate rates of urban poverty compared with national averages. Women in Barcelona are significantly more likely to live in conditions of poverty than men, accounting for 20.9% of those at risk of poverty.

In response, the government of Barcelona introduced its “Strategy against the feminization of poverty” initiative in 2016. Over the span of a decade, the policies have worked to address equal hiring practices, workplace treatment, income equality and social support for working mothers and caregivers. They have also systematically evaluated how public spending impacts men and women differently and the subsequent impact on the urban economy.

This approach, known as gender-responsive budgeting, ensures that public spending and resources are directed toward the specific needs of women, especially those balancing employment and caregiving responsibilities. Other policies, such as B-MINCOME, have provided financial support to low-income households to help families meet basic needs and improve access to employment and social services. They are predicted to empower hundreds of thousands of citizens financially.

The B-MINCOME initiative addresses rising poverty and social inequalities, in which the average income of Barcelona’s lowest-earning households has dropped by 27% over the last few years. By directing such investment and proactive welfare toward those most affected by poverty, the city is working to reduce inequality at its root. This demonstrates how city-level policy can create more effective urban poverty reduction.

Different Approaches, Same Outcome

While Paris and Barcelona have adopted different approaches to tackling inequality, both demonstrate the effectiveness of targeted, city-level strategies in addressing the drivers of urban poverty. Whether through structural investment in housing or gender-responsive public spending, these policies prioritize those most affected, particularly women and low-income households. As urban populations continue to grow, these approaches offer valuable insights into how local governments can contribute to meaningful and sustainable urban poverty reduction.

Social policies in Paris and Barcelona are shaped around lived realities. This creates more inclusive, resilient and empowered communities for the future.

– Hannah Michie

Hannah is based in Nice, France and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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ZNotes: Reducing Learning Poverty Through Education

ZNotesEducation does not just reduce learning poverty. It also provides a better future and enhances the chances of people who did not have access to education before. This can provide greater access to jobs and reduce income inequality. 

Education can transform lives socially and empower people across demographics to improve their own lives. Even people in developing nations like India are achieving state ranks due to these educational opportunities. 

ZNotes

ZNotes is an educational platform created by Zubair Junjunia, who witnessed the inequalities students faced during their end-of-year exams. Junjunia launched the platform when he was just 16. Now, this platform has amassed a wealth of information to help people gain further access to educational rights.

With more than 500,000 subscribers to its databases, ZNotes has had a profound impact on more than 6 million students from more than 190 countries. Epic Angels is one of the educational platform’s biggest benefactors in the Asia Pacific region. 

The Importance of Education

UNESCO reports that global poverty would be reduced by more than 50% if everyone completed secondary education. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the learning poverty rate skyrocketed to about 70% due to limited access to educational resources. ZNotes is a good way to quell this hindrance. 

If everyone (including those in developing or low-income households) had proper access to education, then 171 million people would be able to have better lives and be free from poverty. Although ZNotes has garnered support from more than 4.5 million students globally, coverage of certain topics remains limited. 

How ZNotes Is Reducing Learning Poverty

ZNotes is an immensely popular online learning tool that has also won awards for its syllabus-tailored study materials, which increase the chances of getting good grades. What started as a personal effort quickly turned into a global fight against educational inequality. It has worked to reduce the rate of learning poverty ever since by connecting learners across cultures, genders and faiths. 

In these diverse spaces, students exchange guidance on university, internships and career pathways, widening access to valuable social capital. Beyond preparing students for high-stakes exams, ZNotes equips them for life after school. Through its internship and contribution programs, young people gain real-world experience in a global social impact startup, building both academic and employability skills. The results are clear: 77% of interns report stronger candidacy for jobs and future internships.

Conclusion

Education is a powerful yet complex tool to foster growth, independence and success. ZNotes is an online educational platform dedicated to working collaboratively with students to reduce learning poverty. With millions of supporters, ZNotes has significantly contributed to reducing learning poverty by empowering students to become globally connected, career-ready leaders through a combination of academic support and real-world experience.

– Shruti Reddy

Shruti is based in Cedarhurst, NY, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Floating Micro-Clinics for Riverine Communities in Guyana

Floating Micro-Clinics

Across the dense river networks of Guyana’s interior, many Indigenous and hinterland communities face challenges accessing basic health care due to geographic isolation, limited transportation and poor road infrastructure. Residents often travel days by boat or on foot to reach the nearest clinic for vaccinations, prenatal care, emergency treatment or chronic disease management. Floating micro-clinics for riverine communities in Guyana offer a culturally sensitive, practical solution by delivering essential health services directly along rivers, which serve as the main transportation routes for these communities.

The Government of Guyana has expanded river transportation for health access by providing purpose-built boats and engines to remote villages. This has enabled patients and medical staff to reach health facilities more efficiently.

What Are Floating Micro-Clinics?

Floating micro-clinics are rapid-response medical units, often boats outfitted with consultation space and solar-powered equipment, that travel on regular circuits between riverine villages. By ferrying nurses, health educators and medical supplies directly to residents, these services reduce travel time, lower costs and improve preventative health care.

The Guyanese Ministry of Health has invested in river transport infrastructure to improve access to health care for residents of Regions One, Three and Five. It has delivered boats equipped to support patient care and outreach. In addition to government investment, UNICEF-supported programs have helped expand maternal health outreach.

They do this by providing boats equipped with solar-powered vaccine refrigerators and cots to serve communities in Regions One and Eight. These vessels enhance access to immunization and maternal care in villages such as Kamwatta, Sandhill and Orinduik.

Bringing Health Services Closer to Communities

Floating micro-clinics for riverine communities in Guyana enable nurses, community health workers and other providers to offer vaccinations, prenatal checkups and treatment for common illnesses on the spot. By reducing the distance families must travel for routine care, these mobile units help prevent illness and support early detection of health issues. Telemedicine has also expanded across remote regions, complementing floating clinic outreach by allowing health workers to consult specialists and manage patient care more effectively.

Many of the communities served through these initiatives are Indigenous and deeply rooted along river systems. Floating micro-clinics serving riverine communities in Guyana align medical outreach with traditional travel routes and cultural practices, ensuring services are delivered in ways that respect community life. Families no longer need to undertake long and costly journeys through difficult terrain to reach basic health services.

River transport investments and floating clinic models demonstrate how integrated health and transportation strategies can reduce geographic disparities. These programs coordinate regular river routes and supply essential health equipment directly to remote villages. This strengthens health surveillance, expands vaccination coverage and supports maternal and child health across Guyana’s hinterland.

Conclusion

Floating micro-clinics serving riverine communities in Guyana bring essential health care to populations that traditional infrastructure has historically underserved. By leveraging river transport and mobile medical units, these programs improve access to vaccinations, maternal and child care, diagnostics and routine treatment. With continued investment and community involvement, floating micro-clinics can significantly strengthen rural health outcomes and reduce inequality across Guyana’s vast river systems.

– Shahzeb Khan

Shahzeb is based in San Ramon, CA, USA and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Nutrition Policy Shapes Health Equity in South Africa

Health Equity in South AfricaIn South Africa, gaps in nutrition and food environment policies drive the double burden of malnutrition, including hunger, micronutrient deficiencies and rising obesity, despite sufficient food production. These policy gaps highlight the central role nutrition systems play in shaping health equity in South Africa.

How Economic Pressure Fuels Food Insecurity in South Africa

Economic pressures, rather than food availability, drive food insecurity in South Africa, pushing many families to struggle to access nutritious diets. Low-income individuals and households often choose cheaper, energy-dense alternatives that provide calories but few essential nutrients. High unemployment, structural poverty and rising living costs have made food increasingly inaccessible across South Africa.

The national energy crisis, particularly in Johannesburg and Cape Town, has further driven widespread hunger. In 2021, roughly 80% of South African households had adequate access to food, 15% had inadequate access and 6% had severe food insecurity. Food insecurity was more prevalent in urban areas, with the highest concentrations in Cape Town (241,000 households) and Johannesburg (239,000 households).

Households with young children are disproportionately affected. An estimated 683,221 households with children under age 5 experienced hunger and malnutrition. This has contributed to higher rates of stunting and impaired physical and cognitive development.

The highest prevalence is found in KwaZulu-Natal (20.1%), Johannesburg (13.6%) and Cape Town (12.4%). Since April 2021, 323 child deaths linked to malnutrition and hunger have been reported in the Eastern Cape.

Unequal Cities, Unequal Health: The Cost of Urban Planning Failures

As South Africa rapidly urbanizes, with more than 72% of the population projected to live in cities by 2030, food security policies remain inadequate. Low-income households in informal settlements and townships often lack access to affordable supermarkets. This forces them to rely on higher-priced spaza shops with limited access to fresh produce, directly deepening nutrition-related health inequities.

These failures in the urban food environment directly undermine health equity in South Africa. Energy and infrastructure instability disrupt cooking, refrigeration and food storage. This reduces households’ ability to consume fresh foods, increasing reliance on processed and street foods.

Despite social grants such as the Child Support Grant and the Social Relief of Distress (SRD), many households earn too much to qualify for assistance yet too little to afford adequate food. Even among households that do qualify, grant amounts are insufficient to cover the cost of a nutritious diet, particularly amid rising food inflation in South Africa. The criminalization of street vendors and restrictions on trading spaces undermine the informal food system.

In turn, this reduces access to affordable food for low-income households and pushes many into more severe food insecurity.

National and International Initiative To Improve Health Equity in South Africa

To address persistent nutrition-related health inequalities, the South African government uses initiatives such as the National Food and Nutrition Security Plan (NFNSP). It also implements the National School Nutrition Program (NSNP) to improve food security and child nutrition among disadvantaged populations. In 2018, South Africa introduced the NFNSP (2018–2023) to address nutrition-related health inequities by strengthening food security for low-income and vulnerable populations.

The plan aims to reduce childhood obesity and cut adult obesity by 15% by 2023. Similarly, in October 2023, the Department of Basic Education reaffirmed its commitment to the NSNP. The program feeds more than nine million learners annually and reduces child hunger.

Beyond national initiatives, the United Nations (U.N.) Sustainable Development Goal 1 (No Poverty) underscores the urgency of addressing child poverty, as many children continue to experience deprivation despite broader social assistance programs. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) also supports South Africa by strengthening child poverty measurement. It also helps guide policies that direct government spending toward services benefiting the most impoverished children.

Additionally, in 2025, World Health Organization Member States extended the Global Nutrition Targets to 2030 and aligned them with the Sustainable Development Goals. The updated framework maintains targets to reduce stunting, anemia, low birth weight and wasting, while strengthening goals to reduce childhood overweight and increase exclusive breastfeeding. This extension reinforces global commitment to accelerating action on maternal and child nutrition and reducing nutrition-related health inequities.

Final Thoughts

Addressing health equity in South Africa requires coordinated action on the social and structural drivers of health, including poverty, inequality, limited access to primary health care and food insecurity. Strengthening primary health care, expanding universal health coverage and sustaining programs such as NSNP and NFNSP are essential to protecting vulnerable populations and reducing nutrition-related health disparities.

– Yuhan Rong

Yuhan is based in San Diego, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Higher Education in Malta and Its Role in Reducing Poverty

Higher education in MaltaHigher education in Malta has expanded significantly over the past decade, placing the country above the European Union average for tertiary attainment, according to the European Commission’s Education and Training Monitor. However, unequal access to education continues to limit who benefits from this growth, directly affecting poverty outcomes.

These disparities matter because education remains one of the strongest predictors of long-term economic security. In small, service-based economies such as Malta’s, higher education often determines access to stable employment, higher wages and upward social mobility.

Public institutions such as the University of Malta and the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology have driven much of the growth in higher education in Malta, supported by a growing private higher education sector. Despite broader access, participation and outcomes remain uneven across socio-economic groups.

Education Attainment and Poverty Risk

Data from Eurostat shows a clear relationship between education level and poverty risk in Malta. Individuals with tertiary education face a significantly lower risk of poverty than those with only secondary or post-secondary, non-tertiary qualifications.

This gap illustrates the protective role higher education plays against poverty. University graduates are more likely to secure stable employment and higher wages, particularly in sectors such as finance, health care, education and information technology. Workers without tertiary credentials often face low wages, job insecurity and limited career mobility. 

Despite high public investment, outcomes remain polarized. Roughly 40% of adults in Malta still have less than upper secondary education, which limits access to higher education in Malta and reinforces intergenerational inequality.

Barriers To Higher Education Access

Early educational attainment plays a decisive role in determining who reaches university. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds in Malta underperform in literacy and numeracy, reducing their likelihood of completing secondary education and progressing to tertiary studies.

Socio-economic background further shapes educational trajectories. While public universities charge no tuition for Maltese and EU citizens, indirect costs such as housing, transportation, study materials and foregone income discourage students from low-income households from pursuing higher education.

Adult learning participation reflects similar inequality. Lifelong learning programs in Malta primarily attract individuals who already hold higher qualifications, while adults with lower education levels participate far less, limiting reskilling opportunities and increasing long-term poverty risk.

Labor Market Mismatches and Inequality

Even among graduates, outcomes remain uneven. Malta faces shortages in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields, while some graduates experience underemployment due to skills mismatches. Weak alignment between education outcomes and labor market needs can undermine the poverty-reducing potential of higher education in Malta.

 To address these gaps, policymakers emphasize closer coordination between tertiary institutions and labor market demand. Strengthening vocational and technical pathways alongside traditional university degrees can broaden access to stable, well-paid employment.

Higher Education as an Anti-Poverty Strategy

The Maltese government introduced initiatives to improve access to higher education. The Get Qualified Scheme provides tax credits to individuals pursuing higher education or vocational training, reducing financial barriers and encouraging workforce upskilling.

The government also provides monthly student stipends to help cover living costs, which supports retention and reduces dropout rates among full-time students from lower-income households.

International research consistently identifies education as one of the most effective long-term strategies for reducing poverty. Tertiary education increases lifetime earnings, improves health outcomes and strengthens civic participation.

Conclusion

Higher education in Malta reduces poverty risk by improving employment stability and income potential. However, unequal access, early educational disparities and labor market mismatches continue to limit its full impact.

Expanding financial support, strengthening adult learning opportunities and aligning education with workforce needs would allow higher education in Malta to function as a true engine of social mobility and long-term poverty reduction.

– Sean Leung

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

Photo: Flickr

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Everything To Know About Poverty in the Maldives

Poverty in the MaldivesThe Republic of the Maldives is an archipelago located in South Asia in the northern Indian Ocean. While its population is only approximately 530,000, the Maldives receives almost 2 million tourists per year. Since its first resort opening in the 1970s, the Maldivian economy has grown significantly thanks to its popularity amongst international tourists. However, poverty in the Maldives is an ongoing issue that requires attention.

Recent Progress 

Over the last decade, there has been a significant decline in poverty in the Maldives. From a 65% poverty rate in 2009 to an 11.7% poverty rate in 2016, improving quality of life due to flourishing tourism characterized the pre-pandemic Maldivian economy. Its ‘enclave economy’ means that each island has a specific use, for example, some islands are restricted to resorts, while others are strictly for certain industrial activities.

Alongside this, policies like mandating that at least 51% of a resort’s workforce must be Maldivian have resulted in a growth of the tertiary sector and an increase in wage employment. Not only have these developments significantly grown government revenue, but they have also improved the quality of life of most Maldivians. This is due to a greater number of households experiencing a stable source of income and growing welfare policies from the government. In fact, the government has strived to redistribute this wealth through infrastructure investment, like airports and public housing. 

Despite great economic progress in recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic revealed how fragile the Maldivian economy is; travel bans as a result of the pandemic caused a fall in real GDP by 33.6% in 2020, showing how the country’s economy was reliant on international tourism. In fact, resort-based tourism contributes to approximately 23% of GDP, meaning that it is at the mercy of factors beyond its control.

Environmental Threats

Tourism is not the only external factor threatening the economic stability of the Maldives; due to the islands’ low elevation above sea level, the country is extremely vulnerable to changing weather patterns. For example, a tsunami in 2004 caused damages worth 62% of GDP alongside unquantifiable damages like soil erosion and damage to fisheries, which had long-term effects on the recovery of the economy.

The unpredictable and inescapable nature of such events poses a constant threat to the Maldivian population. As a result, the Maldivian government has adapted its policies to strive for long-term security against these issues. An example of this, which the 2005 tsunami reinforced, is the construction of Hulhumalé, an artificial island currently being built 8 km from the capital city. With this, the government hopes to not only reduce overcrowding in Male, but also protect residents from the threat of coastal erosion – a dilemma that many smaller atolls are currently facing. With the Housing Development Corporation capping house prices and the coastline set 2 meters above sea level, its residents are protected from both economic and geological dangers.

On top of government policies, many NGOs have also contributed to assisting those living in poverty in the Maldives. For example, the Maldivian Red Crescent, founded in 2009, is the largest humanitarian organization in the Maldives, striving to protect the population from the socioeconomic challenges that arise from natural disasters. In 2024, it took significant steps in enhancing its emergency response resources, like organizing Anticipator Action workshops and signing a grant contract with the Japanese Embassy for the provision of emergency support vehicles. In fact, one can see the extent of its success in the Maldives through its recognition as an official member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in 2011.

Geographical Inequality 

The greatest factor that seems to be limiting the reduction of poverty in the Maldives is the socio-economic disparity between the capital Male’ and the atolls. Although all Maldivians have access to basic health care and education, the more advanced facilities are located in the capital, creating inequalities that translate to poorer job prospects and thus income disparity. In fact, approximately 10% of Maldivians in atolls are living under the international poverty line compared to only 1% in Male’.

Not only is there inequality between Male’ and the atolls, but even between the atolls themselves, some clusters experience much higher levels of poverty than others. For example, some atolls rely on fisheries as their main source of income, yet their profitability is limited by their poor infrastructure, such as a lack of storage and processing facilities. Even when considering non-monetary metrics, there is a clear disparity between the islands; Maldivians living in the atolls experience fewer years of schooling and lack access to basic resources like safe drinking water and sewer systems. 

Therefore, despite the responsiveness of the Maldivian government to the challenges faced, it continues to be an economy at the mercy of geographic and environmental factors. Furthermore, inequality between Male’ and the atolls is the main factor limiting the government’s ability to eliminate poverty in the Maldives. 

– Vittoria Cortese

Vittoria is based in Washington, DC, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr