Why Solving Absolute Poverty Is Crucial for Achieving Multiple SDGs
Absolute poverty, now defined as living on less than $2.15 per day, is a condition that strips people of access to basic necessities like food, clean water, education, and healthcare. While the world has made significant strides in reducing poverty, millions still live under this extreme threshold. Solving absolute poverty not only improves individual lives but also plays a critical role in achieving many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. Here’s why…
1. SDG 1: No Poverty
The most direct connection between solving absolute poverty and the SDGs is found in SDG 1, which aims to end poverty in all its forms everywhere. By addressing the root causes of extreme poverty—lack of resources, inequality, and social exclusion—governments and institutions can work toward building more inclusive and equitable societies.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
There is a close link between poverty and hunger. People living in extreme poverty often cannot afford nutritious food, which leads to malnutrition and hunger. Lifting people out of absolute poverty would give them the resources to secure adequate food, helping to eliminate hunger and ensure food security, which is the focus of SDG 2.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
Poverty negatively affects health outcomes, as people who live in absolute poverty often lack access to healthcare services. This leads to higher rates of disease and shorter life expectancy. By solving absolute poverty, we can make healthcare more accessible, improving overall health and well-being, which aligns with SDG 3.
4. SDG 4: Quality Education
Education is a key driver in breaking the cycle of poverty, yet many children living in extreme poverty are unable to attend school due to financial barriers. By eliminating poverty, more children, especially from disadvantaged communities, can access quality education, promoting SDG 4 and improving their future prospects.
5. SDG 5: Gender Equality
Women and girls are disproportionately affected by poverty, facing challenges such as lack of access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. Solving absolute poverty empowers women and girls, helping to close the gender gap and advance SDG 5, which seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women.
6. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Many people living in extreme poverty do not have access to clean water and proper sanitation, increasing their risk of disease. Addressing poverty would enable investment in infrastructure and services that ensure clean water and sanitation for all, contributing directly to SDG 6.
7. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Eliminating poverty fosters inclusive economic growth. As people escape the grip of poverty, they can access better employment opportunities, increase their productivity, and contribute to the broader economy. This directly supports SDG 8, which focuses on promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.
8. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
Poverty perpetuates social and economic inequalities. By addressing extreme poverty, we take a significant step toward reducing these inequalities, whether based on income, gender, or geography. Solving poverty contributes to building fairer, more equal societies, as outlined in SDG 10.
Conclusion
Solving absolute poverty is about far more than financial assistance; it’s about creating sustainable, long-term opportunities for people to lift themselves out of deprivation.
As the world strives to meet the 2030 targets of the Sustainable Development Goals, addressing poverty sits at the heart of this mission. When we tackle absolute poverty, we make progress across hunger, health, education, gender equality, economic growth, and inequality—helping to create a more sustainable and just world for all.