SDG 1: No Poverty - Ending Poverty for Good
Poverty is a complex and multi-faceted issue that affects people across the world, but it can be eradicated with the right policies and investments. This is why SDG 1, "No Poverty," is a critical goal of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The aim is to ensure that all people, regardless of their income or background, have access to basic needs such as food, shelter, education, and healthcare.
Progress and Challenges
Since the adoption of the SDGs in 2015, significant progress has been made in reducing poverty levels around the world. According to the World Bank, the global poverty rate fell from 10% in 2015 to 8.6% in 2018, which means that around 68 million people have been lifted out of extreme poverty. However, this progress is not evenly distributed, and poverty remains a significant challenge in many parts of the world.
In 2018, over 700 million people lived in extreme poverty, defined as living on less than $1.90 per day. Poverty rates are highest in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where around 42% and 15% of the population, respectively, live in extreme poverty. Women and children are particularly vulnerable to poverty, and those in rural areas are more likely to be living in poverty than those in urban areas.
Statistics:
1. As of 2021, 9.2% of the world's population (about 734 million people) live in extreme poverty, meaning they live on less than $1.90 a day. (Source: World Bank)
2. In 2019, about 22% of children in the world (roughly 149 million) lived in households experiencing multidimensional poverty, which includes factors such as poor health, lack of education, and inadequate living standards. (Source: UNICEF)
3. In 2019, more than 690 million people (about 9% of the global population) were undernourished. (Source: FAO)
4. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated poverty, with an estimated 71 million people pushed into extreme poverty in 2020 alone. (Source: World Bank)
5. Women are disproportionately affected by poverty. In 2018, women and girls represented 60% of the world's poor. (Source: UN Women)
6. 70% of the world's poor live in rural areas, where they often lack access to basic services such as education and healthcare. (Source: UNDP)
7. Over 2 billion people worldwide lack access to basic sanitation facilities, which can contribute to the spread of diseases and perpetuate poverty. (Source: WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene)
8. In low-income countries, 40% of the population lack access to electricity, while 1 billion people still rely on traditional biomass for cooking and heating. (Source: IEA)
9. In 2019, more than 1.6 billion people worldwide lacked access to basic banking services, such as savings accounts and credit. (Source: World Bank)
10. Conflict and displacement can exacerbate poverty, with an estimated 80% of the world's refugees and internally displaced persons living in low- and middle-income countries. (Source: UNHCR)
These statistics provide insight into the scale and scope of poverty and inequality around the world, and underscore the urgent need to work towards achieving SDG 1 - No Poverty.
Policies and Interventions
To achieve the goal of ending poverty, governments and organizations around the world are implementing policies and interventions to support those living in poverty. Some examples of these policies and interventions include:
1. Social safety nets: Governments can provide social safety nets, such as cash transfers, food assistance, and healthcare subsidies, to help families meet their basic needs and reduce poverty.
2. Education and skills training: Education and skills training programs can equip individuals with the tools they need to secure better-paying jobs and increase their earning potential.
3. Infrastructure investments: Investing in infrastructure, such as roads, water and sanitation systems, and electricity, can improve living conditions and economic opportunities for those living in poverty.
4. Microfinance and entrepreneurship: Microfinance and entrepreneurship programs can provide access to credit and training to help individuals start their own businesses and generate income.
Source URLs
To learn more about the statistics and policies related to SDG 1, you can visit the following sources:
United Nations Development Programme: https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/sustainable-development-goals/goal-1-no-poverty.html
World Bank: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/poverty/brief/global-poverty-line-faq
UNICEF: https://www.unicef.org/social-policy/sustainable-development-goal-1-end-poverty
Conclusion
Ending poverty is a critical step towards achieving sustainable development, and SDG 1 is a reminder of the importance of prioritizing the needs of the most vulnerable members of our global community. While progress has been made in reducing poverty levels, much work remains to be done to ensure that all individuals can live with dignity and access to basic needs. Through continued efforts and investments in policies and interventions, we can work towards a world with no poverty.
Author: Hello, my name is Hari Vandana Konda and I am an IT and cloud sustainability enthusiast with a passion for maximizing the impact of technology in our world. I am a certified professional in Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Oracle. In addition, I am also a certified FinOps Practitioner which has given me a unique perspective on managing cloud costs and optimizing the overall financial health of organizations. My expertise in these cloud platforms, combined with my passion for sustainability, makes me an ideal author for discussions surrounding the intersection of technology and the environment.
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