Poverty - A Global Reality

Abstract

In this research paper, the global issue of poverty has been discussed. The concept and definition of poverty has been explored. The countries that are severely hit by poverty have been discussed. Poverty has several worse effects on poor people. Several steps are required to be taken in order to face the challenge of poverty and bring substantial reduction in the figures of poverty. Appropriate implementation of these steps can bring a positive change for the poor people of this world.

Poverty - A Global Reality

Introduction

Poverty is a persistent global problem that has presented moral and political challenges to several communities at all times. Poverty corresponds to a basic shortage of means of survival of human beings. Poor people find it difficult to clothe and feed themselves and their children in normal circumstances as they lack necessary resources of life. Poverty is a wide spread problem. It can be found in every nook and corner of the world. Majorly poverty hits those regions or countries whose per capita income is low. Several countries are severely hit by poverty. Among those countries, India and China are on the top of the poverty list. Around half of the total population of the world lives below poverty line defined by international standards. Poor people have to face several deprivations and poverties in their daily routines life. In order to challenge the severe problem of poverty, several important steps are required to be taken by international community.

Concept of Poverty

Poverty refers to a basic shortage of the means of survival in this world. Poor people can be defined as those people who are not able to clothe and feed themselves appropriately even during normal circumstances. As a consequence, such people risk death. Poverty affects enormous numbers of people worldwide (Dixon, Macarov, 1998). Incidence of poverty is typically high in those countries whose per capita income is low. Considering the severity of this problem, steps are required to be taken in order to rectify it.

Countries afflicted by poverty

There is a poverty line that is defined by every country in order to identify and distinguish people who fall below and above that line. Therefore, poverty is a relative term instead of an absolute one. Some region of every country is afflicted by poverty. Every continent has regions of extreme poverty. Asia and Africa are the foremost continents that are afflicted by poverty. Major countries afflicted by poverty include Central African Republic, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Indonesia. However, the highest poverty rate still exists in sub-Saharan Africa where the poverty rate was 46.9% in the year 2010 (Chandy & Gertz, 2011).

Extent of Global Poverty

Around 2.9 Billion human beings or about semi population of the planet survives under the poverty line defined by international standards. They earn below $2 each day. Around 715 Million poor people of the world ware located either in profoundly indebted developing countries, the least developed countries, or in sub-Saharan Africa. These three regions largely overlap each ...