Global Scans · Poverty · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Due to a deteriorating global economic outlook, more than 130 out of 189 countries will experience reduced income growth, with the average global GDP growth rate falling from 4.1 percent to 3.1 percent between 2011 and 2030. Almost all of the countries with large numbers remaining in extreme poverty in 2030 will be in sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia.

• A true democracy requires an educated citizenry with citizens who can think critically about world social issues, such as the use / threat of AI, war, poverty, climate change, and so much more. PubMed Central (PMC)
• At an aggregate level, we believe poverty rates in India could now be in the range of 4-4.5 per cent with almost minimal existence of extreme poverty. ThePrint
• Diplomatic and Strategic Opportunities for India: Closer Ties with Afghanistan: A Pakistan-Taliban rift creates an opportunity for India to re-establish its influence in Afghanistan, strengthening ties through humanitarian aid, infrastructure development, and trade. Free Press Journal
• The Centre for Strategic and International Studies warns that the humanitarian needs of people in places such as Gaza, Myanmar, Sudan, and Ukraine will likely remain severely underfunded despite obligations to protect the delivery of humanitarian aid under international humanitarian law. Yahoo News
• Covid-19 disruptions, drug resistance, humanitarian crises, and climate change pose threats to the global malaria response. Drishti IAS
• Poverty rates are higher in the Northern regions than the Southern regions, and earning potential is significantly less in the Northern regions than in the Southern regions and in Brasilia. GOV.UK
• The oppression of minors extends beyond the United States to other regions in North America, such as Canada, where Indigenous children living on reserves face significant threats due to climate change. Humanium
• International and regional support will likely remain a key revenue source for the interim government, including humanitarian and developmental aid from organizations such as the United Nations and the World Bank.
• In 2025, there will be an estimated 19.9 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, 4 million people internally displaced, 1.5 million refugees, and 386000 Stateless people in Myanmar amid a deteriorating situation, particularly in northern Shan, Mandalay region and Rakhine state. ReliefWeb
• Singaporeans from all walks of life came together over almost three months to help raise more than $2.6 million that will go towards providing humanitarian aid to children and their families in Gaza. The Straits Times
• Over the past year there has been remarkable progress, with states transposing Resolution 2664 in their UN-based regimes and adopting humanitarian carve-outs in many of their autonomous sanctions regimes (including the United States and the European Union). ODI: Think change
• Apart from the purely humanitarian aspects, there is the danger that the volatile situation in Bangladesh could spill across borders, disrupt communal harmony and create serious law and order problems in India. The Shillong Times
• The World Food Programme ramped up efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Sudan reaching 800,000 people in famine and famine-risk areas across Sudan. Martin Plaut
• The United Nations and aid agencies have repeatedly warned about the acute humanitarian crisis in the besieged Gaza Strip, exacerbated by the war that has persisted for more than 14 months. Space War
• Afghanistan is characterized by nearly half-a-century-long conflict, high levels of poverty and unemployment, and political instability, all of which are associated with a higher risk for mental health problems. LWW
• Living in a couple family reduces the risk of persistent very deep poverty by three-quarters in white households but makes little difference in Bangladeshi, Black African or Pakistani households. Joseph Rowntree Foundation
• Enhancing the Digital Contribution to Peace, Development, and Sustainability In a world facing global challenges such as sustainability and social inequalities, the transformative potential of digital technologies serves as a vital ally in promoting peace and driving sustainable development. Yahoo Finance
• The United Nations and other aid organizations have repeatedly warned about the acute humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, exacerbated by the war that has persisted for over 14 months. IOL
• Given the expected decline in humanitarian aid available to Somalia due to crises in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and elsewhere, UN agencies and other international aid bodies should be more flexible, coordinate better and share resources with local NGOs. allAfrica.com
• The theme for 2024, Confronting Global Threats: Standing Up for Integrity, underscores the importance of addressing corruption as a significant global threat that undermines governance, disrupts economic growth, and perpetuates social inequalities. Ultech Engineering
• As Kazakhstan continues to promote economic growth and sustainable development in Afghanistan, its ability to balance regional interests, leverage foreign partnerships, and address humanitarian needs will be crucial in shaping a stable and prosperous Central Asian landscape. The Royal Society for Asian Affairs
• The Scottish Government unveiled its 2025-26 Budget this week, a comprehensive plan aimed at addressing the most pressing challenges up north, including child poverty, climate change, and the sustainability of public services. UKTaxCalculators.co.uk

Last updated: 10 January 2025