Poverty Reduction

Economic growth will not reduce poverty, improve equality and produce jobs unless it is inclusive. Inclusive growth is also essential for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The globalization process, when properly managed, becomes an important ingredient for inclusive growth. In this context, UNDP works to make real improvements in people’s lives, opening up their choices and opportunities.

Our Goals

UNDP promotes inclusive and sustainable human development and works to reduce poverty in all its dimensions. We focus our efforts on making growth and trade benefit everyone in developing countries. Fast Facts about UNDP and Poverty Reduction

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Facts and Figures

In Sudan’s River Nile State, UNDP is helping villagers increase crop yields and manage climate change impacts through new agricultural practices. 15.3 million people had greater food security in 2011-2012.

Our Stories

Projects and Initiatives

mongolia

Microfinance in Mongolia

A nation in transition In the 1990s Mongolia transformed from a centrally planned to a market-driven economy. By 2004 the private sector’s share of GDP had... more

jamaica

Jamaica Debt Exchange Frees Resources for Human Development

Jamaica spends most of its government revenues on the repayment of debt and its interest, with little left over to spend on poverty reduction and infrastructure. A recent Jamaica Debt Exchange programme lightened its debt servicing burden by restructuring Jamaica’s domestic debt. more

Poverty and Social Impact Analysis of the Economic Crisis

Poverty and Social Impact Analysis (PSIA) studies help developing countries analyse the impact of the economic crisis and come up with policies to better deal with consequences of the crisis on poor and vulnerable people. more

A pioneering piece of legislation that recognises work as a fundamental right and guarantees 100 days of employment a year to people in rural areas is emerging as a ray of hope for India’s poor, who have been left even more vulnerable by the aftershocks of the global economic crisis. more

Understanding Poverty and Inequality in Namibia

As a middle-income country with very unequal income distribution, Namibia is a place of poverty amid plenty. Although statistics about poverty and inequality are collected, they are rarely analyzed to understand how poverty and inequality are related to each other and how to bridge the gap between rich and poor. more

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Featured Publications
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Fast Facts: Poverty Reduction

Globally, the number of extreme poor has dropped by 650 million in the last three decades, a level of progress humankind had never seen. But still there are more than a billion people living in extreme poverty.

 

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Malawi Case Study: Social Protection Measures and Labour Markets

This case study describes and analyses the impact that pro-poor programmes and social protection measures have had on reducing poverty and mitigating the vulnerability of the poor in Malawi.

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Realizing the future we want for all

The first report from the UN system on the Post-2015 Development Agenda recommends that new goals should build on the strengths of the MDGs, apply to all countries, and be based on the fundamental principles of human rights, equality, and sustainability.

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