For years the percentage of poor people in the world’s population has been declining. But more than 700 million people still live in extreme poverty. People who are extremely poor are unable to meet their own basic needs.
Many people are unable to escape poverty without support. They do not earn enough, have no state safety net, and cannot build up any reserves. Without a bank account they can neither save money nor obtain a loan. All this means that they are forced to lead a life of deprivation and uncertainty, and can do little to change this on their own.
The poorest are often worst affected by unexpected events like economic crises, or natural and environmental disasters. As a general rule, they are totally at the mercy of hazards of this sort. Their homes were not built to withstand earthquakes, or they live in areas that are unprotected against flooding because there are no dykes. All too often they lose everything they posses when disaster strikes.
What must be done?
Reduce poverty in the world by half and completely eradicate extreme poverty – that is the first sustainable development goal, and also a vision that runs through the entire 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Because poverty hampers progress across the board: in education, health, industry and environmental protection. The global community has undertaken to put in place the necessary preconditions and safety nets for poor people, to enable them to become more resilient. They are prepared to invest a lot to achieve this, and to put in place the necessary political framework.
Facts and figures
- The percentage of extremely poor people among the world’s population dropped from 26 per cent to 13 per cent between 2002 and 2012.
- In sub-Saharan Africa, more than 40 per cent of the population were still affected by poverty in 2012.
- In small, fragile and conflict-affected countries, the percentage of poor people in the population is particularly high.
