Children are among the most vulnerable, often suffering from life-threatening conditions as a result of a severe lack of economic and social resources. Consequences include malnourishment and limited learning opportunities, all related to poverty. Research has shown a link between children’s poverty and their childhood health as well as later health outcomes as adults. Health Impact and Stunting According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), approximately 38% of Rwandan children are stunted, meaning their cognitive, motor and language abilities are severely impaired. This is a direc ..read more

Zimbabwe, situated in southern Africa, grapples with serious poverty-related issues, including widespread water poverty. The World Bank reported that 42% of the country’s population lived in extreme poverty in 2019, primarily in remote, poorly connected and densely populated rural areas susceptible to poverty traps. The COVID-19 pandemic may have been responsible for the rise in poverty levels in the country. The Water Problem Save the Children emphasizes that water is a basic human right and that the absence of clean, safe water increases the risk of contracting preventable diseases. In April ..read more

Gurugram, also referred to as Gurgaon, is a city located in northern India, just 32km outside India’s capital city, New Delhi. Until recently, Gurugram was an agricultural wasteland, but it has, for the most part, regenerated itself into an affluent town, which is home to offices of some of the world’s largest companies, such as Google and Nokia. Alongside these wealthy corporations and white-collar jobs, however, exists poverty-stricken villages and slums, where individuals did not adapt to this change, living in poverty with poor infrastructure, overcrowding and sewage contamination. Therefo ..read more

Bangladesh is a country in South Asia that neighbors India to the West, North and East and the Bay of Bengal to the South. Formerly known as East Pakistan, Bangladesh first received recognition in 1971 when the two parts of Pakistan split after a bitter war for independence. In 1975, Bangladesh entered the United Nations (U.N.) as a Less-Developed Country (LDC) under President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. In recent years, Bangladesh has reduced population growth, improved health care and education and is on track to transition into U.N. Developing Country status by 2026. Still, limited resources and ..read more

According to ASPEN Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE), small businesses are essential for the growth of the national economy in South Africa. The country’s high unemployment rates stand at 32.1% in 2024. However, ANDE suggests that a small business in South Africa can create jobs, bolster the economy and empower local communities.  According to Trade and Industry Policy Strategies (TIPS), about 30% of employed people in South Africa work for a small business. These enterprises have become a significant source of income for many people from marginalized backgrounds. In post-Aparth ..read more

On March 30, 2024, in a podcast episode called “Pulling Water Out of Thin Air, Raising Fish on Land and Other Creative Ways People Are Solving Big Problems,” “The Borgen Project Podcast’s” hosts Clint Borgen and Michelle Twarowska delved into an array of initiatives aimed at addressing some of the world’s most pressing issues, such as water scarcity, infant mortality rates, aquaculture and food production. Harvesting Water Out of Thin Air “Lima, Peru has ten million people but they get less than an inch of rain every year,” said Borgen.  Fog nets have existed in areas like Lima for centur ..read more

Renewable energy is any form of energy that comes from natural resources. An important component of renewable energy is its source. For energy to be renewable, it must come from a place that replenishes. Some examples of renewable energy include the sun and wind. It is now a common trend for new and developing countries to adopt renewable energy as their main energy source, with Liberia currently working to incorporate more renewable energy into its energy sector. The country’s plans for renewable energy seek to rectify its inadequate power situation. According to a study by the International ..read more

Poverty remains a pressing issue in India, with more than 12.92% living below the national poverty line of $2.15 a day as of 2021 – a number that, with global support, is steadily declining year by year. Here are five strategies aimed at combating poverty and fostering inclusive development in India. Education and Skill Development According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), if all students in low-income countries could be provided basic reading skills, an estimated 171 million people would be able to lift themselves out of extreme poverty. If al ..read more

Nestled between Turkey and Russia, Georgia beckons with its rich history, vibrant culture and breathtaking landscapes. Yet beneath the surface of this picturesque landscape lies the stark reality of child poverty in Georgia. The Challenge Children in Georgia are disproportionately more susceptible to poverty than any other demographic group. Georgia continues to grapple with the absence of a comprehensive social protection system tailored to the needs of children, failing to support families and bolster their capacity to withstand adversity adequately. Deficiencies persist in legislation and p ..read more

Guyana has made positive impacts in reducing poverty within the country; however, it was once one of the poorest in South America. Due to the discovery of oil production in 2019, Guyana’s GDP per capita is quickly increasing and the country could continue as one of the countries with the fastest economic growth as new oil production begins. The country is rich in natural resources and in addition to abundant rainforests and agricultural land, the country’s natural reserves also include gold and diamonds. Guyana’s proud decline in poverty shows a change from 60.9% of the country’s population li ..read more