According to a recent study, the number of working poor around the world has been on the rise over the past 30 years. The study, which analyzed data from 1991 to 2021, found that the highest rates of employed poverty can be found in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
The study defines working poverty as individuals who are employed but still cannot afford to meet their basic needs due to low wages. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rate of working poverty, with around 60% of the population falling into this category. This is followed by South Asia, where around 50% of the population is considered working poor.
In contrast, developed regions such as North America and Europe have much lower rates of working poverty, with around 10% and 15% of their populations respectively falling into this category.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, the poverty rate remains alarmingly high, with countries like Burundi, Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Malawi having some of the highest rates of working poor in the world. According to the study, over 79% of the population in Burundi lies under the working poverty rate, while in Madagascar, it is around 76%. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the poverty rate is estimated to be around 69%, and in Malawi, it is around 65%.
These countries are also facing other issues such as political instability, lack of access to necessities, and limited economic opportunities. Many people in these countries are forced to work in low-paying, insecure jobs, with around $1.9/day with little to no access to social safety nets or opportunities for upward mobility. This has led to a cycle of poverty that is difficult to break.
Additionally, these countries are also facing the negative effects of climate change, which has led to food insecurity, displacement of people, and loss of livelihoods. The majority of the population in these countries relies on agriculture for their livelihoods and climate change is making it increasingly difficult for them to grow crops and earn a living.
The study found that the main cause of working poverty is low wages. In many developing countries, a large portion of the population is employed in low-paying jobs, such as agriculture or informal labor. Additionally, a lack of access to education and training opportunities also contributes to the problem, as it limits individuals' ability to secure higher-paying jobs.
Another major contributor to working poverty is the increasing use of automation and technology in the workplace. This has led to the displacement of many low-skilled workers, who are unable to find new employment opportunities.
The study also found that working poverty disproportionately affects women and children. In many countries, women are more likely to be employed in low-paying jobs, and they also tend to have less access to education and training opportunities. Children are also disproportionately affected, as they often have to work to support their families.
The study's findings highlight the urgent need for governments and international organizations to take action to address working poverty. This could include policies to increase access to education and training, as well as measures to improve working conditions and wages for low-skilled workers.
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The study defines working poverty as individuals who are employed but still cannot afford to meet their basic needs due to low wages. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rate of working poverty, with around 60% of the population falling into this category. This is followed by South Asia, where around 50% of the population is considered working poor.
In contrast, developed regions such as North America and Europe have much lower rates of working poverty, with around 10% and 15% of their populations respectively falling into this category.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, the poverty rate remains alarmingly high, with countries like Burundi, Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Malawi having some of the highest rates of working poor in the world. According to the study, over 79% of the population in Burundi lies under the working poverty rate, while in Madagascar, it is around 76%. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the poverty rate is estimated to be around 69%, and in Malawi, it is around 65%.
These countries are also facing other issues such as political instability, lack of access to necessities, and limited economic opportunities. Many people in these countries are forced to work in low-paying, insecure jobs, with around $1.9/day with little to no access to social safety nets or opportunities for upward mobility. This has led to a cycle of poverty that is difficult to break.
Additionally, these countries are also facing the negative effects of climate change, which has led to food insecurity, displacement of people, and loss of livelihoods. The majority of the population in these countries relies on agriculture for their livelihoods and climate change is making it increasingly difficult for them to grow crops and earn a living.
The study found that the main cause of working poverty is low wages. In many developing countries, a large portion of the population is employed in low-paying jobs, such as agriculture or informal labor. Additionally, a lack of access to education and training opportunities also contributes to the problem, as it limits individuals' ability to secure higher-paying jobs.
Another major contributor to working poverty is the increasing use of automation and technology in the workplace. This has led to the displacement of many low-skilled workers, who are unable to find new employment opportunities.
The study also found that working poverty disproportionately affects women and children. In many countries, women are more likely to be employed in low-paying jobs, and they also tend to have less access to education and training opportunities. Children are also disproportionately affected, as they often have to work to support their families.
The study's findings highlight the urgent need for governments and international organizations to take action to address working poverty. This could include policies to increase access to education and training, as well as measures to improve working conditions and wages for low-skilled workers.
Read next: Survey of almost 500 founders highlights the biggest factors that cause startups to fail
