Poverty

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is intensifying efforts to channel strategic investments into rural economies as a cornerstone for tackling global poverty. Recognizing that nearly 80% of the world’s extreme poor live in rural areas, IFAD’s approach centers on enhancing agricultural productivity, fostering sustainable livelihoods, and building resilience against climate shocks. By prioritizing infrastructure, financial inclusion, and community-led initiatives, the organization aims to transform rural landscapes into engines of inclusive growth.

India has achieved significant strides in reducing income inequality and extreme poverty between 2011-12 and 2022-23, emerging as the fourth-most equal country globally, according to recent World Bank data. The country’s Gini Index—a key measure of income distribution—has declined from 28.8 to 25.5 during this period, reflecting a substantial narrowing of wealth disparities. This progress is accompanied by a dramatic reduction in extreme poverty, from 16.2% to 2.3%, lifting nearly 171 million people out of deprivation.

A groundbreaking report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the University of Denver’s Pardee Institute and Octopus Energy, outlines a transformative vision for the global energy future. The study finds that if countries align renewable energy deployment with broader development policies, it could lift 193 million people out of extreme poverty by 2060 and save the global economy USD 20.4 trillion.

India’s G20 Sherpa, Amitabh Kant, has called for a more robust involvement from the private sector to eradicate hunger in the country, emphasizing that government efforts alone are insufficient. Speaking at the launch of Malabar Group’s expanded CSR initiatives, Kant endorsed the company’s “Hunger Free World” project, which aims to distribute 70,000 nutritious meals daily across India and Zambia in fiscal 2025–26. Backed by a substantial Rs.

A recent World Bank study has revealed stark disparities in Pakistan’s fiscal system, highlighting the General Sales Tax (GST) as the single largest contributor to increased poverty. The study, titled The Effects of Taxes and Transfers on Inequality and Poverty in Pakistan, concludes that indirect taxation disproportionately burdens low-income households, with GST accounting for more than 7% of pre-tax household spending. In contrast, the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) emerged as the most impactful tool for reducing inequality.