Why Human Governments Struggle to Eradicate Global Poverty

According to a United Nations Development Programme report, in the last 50 years, there has been some advancement in lowering global poverty than there was in the preceding 500 years!

The report highlights that since 1960, developing nations have achieved a 50% reduction in child mortality rates, decreased malnutrition levels by a third, and increased school enrolment figures by 25%. However, the same report source acknowledges that even with these achievements, global poverty continues to be a massive problem worldwide.

The situation is even more alarming as disparities within and among societies continue to widen. The executive director of the UN World Food Programme states,

“Compared to last year,” there is a significantly larger number of people experiencing malnutrition and hunger worldwide. Currently, approximately 840 million people in the developing world are living with persistent hunger, over a billion lack access to safe drinking water, and almost 1.5 billion survive on less than $1 a day.”

Mary Robinson, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, warned,

“We risk approaching a scenario where the global divide is not between developing and developed nations but rather between those that are overdeveloped and those that will never reach development.”

The “Me, Me, Me” Attitude in Modern Society

In today’s society, a pervasive “me, me, me” attitude has taken root, characterised by an overwhelming focus on individualism and self-interest. This mindset is evident in various aspects of life, from social media platforms that encourage self-promotion and validation through likes and followers to consumer culture that prioritises personal gratification over communal well-being.

People’s desire for immediate gratification is growing, frequently at the expense of long-term relationships and ties to the community. This self-centred approach not only fosters a sense of isolation and competition but also undermines collective efforts to address broader societal issues such as inequality, environmental sustainability, and public health.

As people prioritise their own needs and desires, the sense of shared responsibility and empathy that binds communities together weakens, leading to a fragmented and less cohesive society.

illiminating the problem

How much would it take for today’s global population of 8+ billion to reduce the disparity between the affluent and the impoverished? You may be surprised. According to UN estimates, an extra $9 billion (approximately $1.50 per person) each year is all it would take to ensure access to clean water and sanitation worldwide.

Furthermore, to secure fundamental health and nutrition for everyone on the planet, an extra $13 billion (roughly $2.00 per person) annually would be required. While these figures are significant, they pale into comparison to the obscene amounts governments spend in other areas.

For example, in a recent year, the global expenditure on ‘advertising‘ [yes, advertising] reached $435 billion (more than $70 per person), while military spending totalled $780 billion (about $130 per person).

So, quite simply, addressing the divide between the wealthy and the less fortunate is more about governments getting their priorities right than it is about sourcing adequate funding.