What is the solution to poverty in the world?

View the original post on Musing.io

  

According to World Bank a person is living below poverty line if he/she earns less than $1.90 per day. However, it should be noted that the purchasing power of currencies are different in different countries. Also, living condition depends on many other factors. The amenities like the mobile phone, television, refrigerator, internet etc. were not available to the rich people of 19th century but the poor people of today are using them. Also, the distribution of poor people is not uniform all over the world. African countries are extremely poor while West European and North American nations are relatively rich. So, the poverty is a relative term.

(Source: pixabay.com)

According to World Bank data the numbers of urban slum dwellers were 47.41% in 1990, 39.65% in 2000 and 33.33% in 2009. So, the overall poverty is declining. However, difference between the super rich and extreme poor is widening year after year. To eradicate poverty, we need to identify and analyze the reasons behind it.

Over population: It can be seen that the population in third world countries is increasing at a rapid pace while it has started to decline or has become stable in the rich countries. When resources are scarce and consumers are more, the situation of poverty becomes worse. So, these nations need to encourage people to adopt small families. If they have to apply force in this regard, they should apply it, otherwise situation will become worse. One earning member and four or more dependents will lead to the poverty of the family. This reality should be admitted.

Mitigate the gap between the income of the super rich and extreme poor: The widening gap of income is making the situation worse. It is estimated that 10 percent super rich are using 90 percent of the world resources. A few thousands have billions of dollars worth assets while billions of people are sustaining on $1 per day. This is injustice. Government policies are also responsible for making rich super rich. Trickle-down effect has lost its charm. So, the time has come to impose heavy taxes on rich and provide the tax subsidy to poor in order to mitigate this gap.

Education: Illiteracy and lack of education contribute a lot to keep people poor. Poverty’s vicious cycle transfers illiteracy, ignorance and exploitation from generation to generations. Illiteracy and lack of education do not allow people to be aware of their rights and duties. Ignorance seizes people’s imagination power and makes them vulnerable to exploitation. They want to get rid of poverty but they don’t know how to do it because of their illiteracy. An educated and alert person knows well about the schemes launch by governments for the welfare of poor. He/she doesn’t keep big family and also don’t marry before the suitable age. He/she can get a good job and also start some business to increase his/her income, if he/she is educated. Also, it becomes difficult for the unscrupulous government officials to exploit an educated person. So, proliferation of education is a necessity to fight against poverty. 

Financial help to poor: World organizations and rich countries should help poor countries to fight against poverty. A help can work miraculously. Also, the rich persons should be generous. They must not be greedy, selfish and egocentric. They should help poor as much as possible.

Improvement in law and order and judicial system: Proper and effective law and order is a big problem in many countries. It becomes difficult for the poor to get rid of poverty because of rampage of criminals and corrupt officials. These goons snatch income of the poor and let them wallowing in poverty. Also, judicial system is very expensive all over the world. If lower middle-class or poor persons have to appear before a court on account of some charges, they have to remain jobless for that period and also have to bribe officials and pay a handsome amount to the lawyers. It increases their poverty. So, improvement in law and order and judicial system becomes very necessary in order to protect people from vicious cycle of poverty.

Social security and medical facilities: Many countries don’t provide enough  help to poor in form of social security. When a poor have to remain jobless because of accidents, death of family members, legal proceedings or illness of self or the members of the family, his chances of throwing down below the poverty line also increase. It takes a considerable amount to take medical treatment. Therefore, governments should provide social security in these conditions. Also, effective and inexpensive credit facilities should be provided to the poor in case of need.  

Establish gender equality: Women are the poorest among the poor in underdeveloped countries. A well educated woman can keep her family small and educated. She can contribute in income of the family. But, if she is not treated well, the family cannot get above the poverty line. Exploitation of women also increases many vices like forced prostitution, slavery, etc. So, empowerment of woman is necessary to fight against poverty.

Enhancement in minimum wages: In many parts of the world people get less than $1 for their whole day labor. This small income does not free people from poverty. In agriculture sector, hidden-unemployment condition prevails when more than necessary numbers of persons are deployed for agriculture work. Also, the agricultural labors have to remain jobless for months between sowing of seeds and harvesting. Therefore, minimum wages should be increased and also ensured that the laborers get at least the stipulated wages. Also, agriculture sectors should be reformed.

It should be noted that the gap between the rich and poor will never end. However, it can be narrowed down and people can be ensured at least a minimum income if these methods are applied sincerely.