POVERTY

INTRODUCTION

Poverty is a global issue. There are people in every country with a standard of living that is
significantly lower than that of others. Nevertheless, the absolute number of people living in poverty
has decreased since 1990, especially in the poorest countries in the world. Therefore, there is reason
to hope that further poverty reduction can occur. The Introduction outlines the pervasiveness and
trends in poverty around the world; the many different causes of poverty that embed themselves in
social, political, economic, educational, and technological processes, which affect all of us from birth
to death; and considers why poverty matters. Overall, the economy suffers if systematic public policy
does not address poverty. Poverty is a pervasive and complex issue that continues to challenge
societies worldwide. This research report aims to provide a comprehensive background on poverty,
exploring its various dimensions, underlying causes, and potential solutions. By delving into the
intricate factors contributing to poverty and its far-reaching consequences, this report seeks to inform
policymakers, stakeholders, and the public to facilitate effective interventions and strategies for
poverty alleviation. (Oxford Academic)

OBJECTIVES

a. What are the primary factors contributing to persistent poverty in the Philippines?
b. How does poverty affect access to education, healthcare, and other essential services among
vulnerable populations?
c. What are the psychological and emotional effects of living in poverty, and how do they impact
individual well-being?

Significance of the Study

1. The health and well-being of those who experiences poverty – Poverty is closely linked to
poor health outcomes, including higher rates of malnutrition, infectious diseases, and mental
health issues. By studying poverty, researchers can identify health disparities and develop
interventions to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
2. Education - Poverty often limits access to quality education, perpetuating cycles of
disadvantage across generations. This study can inform educational policies and programs
aimed at providing equitable opportunities for all children and adults to access education and
acquire essential skills.
3. Human Rights - Poverty often intersects with human rights violations, such as lack of access to
education, healthcare, housing, and fair employment. This study can help identify and address
these violations, advocating for the protection of human rights for all individuals.
4. Economic Development - Poverty can hinder economic development by limiting productivity,
innovation, and investment opportunities. Understanding the causes and consequences of
poverty can inform policies and strategies to promote inclusive economic growth and reduce
inequalities.
 5. Social Justice - Addressing poverty is a fundamental aspect of promoting equity and social
justice. It helps ensure that all members of society have access to basic necessities and
opportunities for a dignified life.
6. Reseacher – Researchers will delve into these complexities to unravel the root causes,
dynamics, and consequences of poverty, contributing to a deeper understanding of societal
issues.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Scholars have offered diverse conceptualizations of poverty, ranging from absolute to relative
measures and multidimensional frameworks.

Root Causes of Poverty

The literature highlights the multifaceted nature of poverty, with root causes including economic
factors such as unemployment and low wages, social factors such as inequality and discrimination,
political factors such as policy choices and governance, and environmental factors such as climate
change and natural disasters.

Impact of Poverty

Empirical studies have documented the wide-ranging impact of poverty on health outcomes,
education attainment, employment opportunities, housing stability, and overall well-being. Children
from impoverished backgrounds are particularly vulnerable to long-term negative consequences,
perpetuating intergenerational cycles of poverty.

Intersections with Other Social Issues

Poverty intersects with other social issues such as gender inequality, racial discrimination, and
environmental degradation, exacerbating social exclusion and marginalization. Intersectional
approaches highlight the compounding effects of multiple forms of disadvantage.

Policy Responses

Policy responses to poverty encompass a range of interventions, including social safety nets, cash
transfers, microfinance, education programs, healthcare initiatives, and community development
projects. Evaluations of these interventions emphasize the importance of targeting root causes and
building social cohesion.

Measurement and Assessment

Various methodologies have been developed for measuring poverty, including income-based
measures, asset-based measures, and multidimensional indices. Debates continue over the
appropriate indicators and thresholds for defining and monitoring poverty over time.
Voices of the Poor

Participatory research approaches have emphasized the importance of amplifying the voices and
experiences of people living in poverty. Engaging communities in research and policy processes is
essential for developing contextually relevant solutions and fostering empowerment.

Globalization and Poverty

Globalization processes, including trade liberalization, capital flows, and migration, have complex and
uneven effects on poverty dynamics. While globalization presents opportunities for economic growth
and poverty reduction, it also poses challenges related to job displacement, income inequality, and
environmental degradation.

Future Directions and Emerging Debates

Future research directions include exploring the role of technology in poverty alleviation, addressing
climate change adaptation and resilience-building efforts, examining the impact of social movements
and advocacy campaigns, and advocating for structural reforms to address systemic inequalities.

E.

The 2030 Agenda has among its key objectives the poverty eradication through increasing the level of
education. A good level of education and investment in culture of a country is in fact necessary to
guarantee a sustainable economy, in which coexists satisfactory levels of quality of life and an
equitable distribution of income. There is a lack of studies in particular on the relations between some
significant dimensions, such as education, culture and poverty, considering time lags for the
measurement of impacts. Therefore, this study aims to fill this gap by focusing on the relationship
between education, culture and poverty based on a panel of data from 34 European countries, over a
5-year period, 2015–2019. For this purpose, after applying principal component analysis to avoid
multicollinearity problems, the authors applied three different approaches: pooled-ordinary least
squares model, fixed effect model and random effect model. Fixed-effects estimator was selected as
the optimal and most appropriate model. The results highlight that increasing education and culture
levels in these countries reduce poverty. This opens space to new research paths and policy strategies
that can start from this connection to implement concrete actions aimed at widening and improving
educational and cultural offer. ( Spada A, Fiore M, Galati A. The Impact of Education and Culture on
Poverty Reduction)

Title: "Exploring the Intersections of Poverty and Health: A Multidimensional Analysis"

This study examines the complex relationship between poverty and health outcomes through a
multidimensional analysis. Drawing on survey data from a diverse urban community, we investigate
the intersecting factors contributing to poverty, including economic insecurity, social exclusion, and
limited access to healthcare. Our findings highlight the disproportionate burden of poor health among
marginalized populations and underscore the need for comprehensive interventions that address the
root causes of poverty while promoting health equity and social inclusion.
The picture shows the increase of poverty from the year 2018-2021. Poverty is a complex and
multifaceted phenomenon that affects individuals, families, and communities worldwide. At its core,
poverty represents a deprivation of basic necessities and opportunities necessary for a dignified life.
While poverty is often measured in terms of income or material deprivation, its impacts extend far
beyond economic hardship, encompassing social, health, and psychological dimensions.

Economic factors play a central role in perpetuating poverty. High unemployment rates, low wages, and
lack of access to economic resources contribute to persistent cycles of poverty within communities.
Limited access to education and employment opportunities further exacerbates inequalities and
restricts upward mobility for individuals living in poverty.

Social factors also intersect with poverty, shaping individuals' experiences of exclusion, discrimination,
and marginalization. Structural inequalities based on gender, race, ethnicity, and caste intersect with
economic disparities, creating barriers to social mobility and access to resources. Discriminatory policies
and practices further entrench these inequalities, perpetuating cycles of poverty across generations.

Health outcomes are closely intertwined with poverty, with individuals living in poverty facing higher
rates of morbidity and mortality compared to their wealthier counterparts. Limited access to healthcare
services, nutritious food, and safe housing contribute to poor health outcomes among marginalized
populations, exacerbating the cycle of poverty and ill-health.

Psychological impacts of poverty are also significant, with individuals experiencing stress, anxiety, and
depression as a result of economic insecurity and social exclusion. Persistent poverty can erode self-
esteem, agency, and social cohesion, further perpetuating cycles of disadvantage within communities.
Addressing poverty requires a multifaceted approach that tackles its root causes while addressing its
various manifestations and consequences. Policy interventions aimed at poverty alleviation must be
comprehensive, addressing economic, social, and health inequalities while promoting equity, inclusion,
and social justice. Community-based approaches that empower individuals and build social capital are
essential for fostering resilience and promoting sustainable development within communities.

CONCLUSION

Addressing poverty requires a multifaceted and holistic approach that tackles its root causes while
addressing its various manifestations and consequences. Policy interventions must go beyond short-
term relief measures to address structural inequalities, promote inclusive economic growth, and build
resilient communities. This includes investing in education, healthcare, social protection, and sustainable
livelihoods, while ensuring that marginalized populations have a voice in decision-making processes.
Community-based approaches are also essential for fostering empowerment, solidarity, and social
cohesion within communities. By engaging individuals and communities as active agents of change, we
can build resilient communities that are better equipped to address the challenges of poverty and
inequality. Moreover, addressing poverty requires a collective commitment from governments, civil
society, the private sector, and international organizations. Collaborative efforts are needed to mobilize
resources, share knowledge, and coordinate actions across sectors and borders. Only through collective
action can we achieve meaningful progress towards eradicating poverty and building a more just and
equitable world for all. While the challenge of poverty is daunting, it is not insurmountable. By
recognizing the interconnectedness of economic, social, environmental, and political factors, we can
develop comprehensive and sustainable solutions that promote human dignity, equality, and well-being
for all individuals and communities, now and for generations to come.