Goal 1: No Poverty

End poverty in all its forms everywhere

For years the percentage of poor people in the world’s population has been declining. But more than 700 million people still live in extreme poverty. People who are extremely poor are unable to meet their own basic needs.

Many people are unable to escape poverty without support. They do not earn enough, have no state safety net, and cannot build up any reserves. Without a bank account they can neither save money nor obtain a loan. All this means that they are forced to lead a life of deprivation and uncertainty, and can do little to change this on their own.

The poorest are often worst affected by unexpected events like economic crises, or natural and environmental disasters. As a general rule, they are totally at the mercy of hazards of this sort. Their homes were not built to withstand earthquakes, or they live in areas that are unprotected against flooding because there are no dykes. All too often they lose everything they posses when disaster strikes.

What must be done?

Reduce poverty in the world by half and completely eradicate extreme poverty – that is the first sustainable development goal, and also a vision that runs through the entire 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Because poverty hampers progress across the board: in education, health, industry and environmental protection. The global community has undertaken to put in place the necessary preconditions and safety nets for poor people, to enable them to become more resilient. They are prepared to invest a lot to achieve this, and to put in place the necessary political framework.

Facts and figures

The percentage of extremely poor people among the world’s population dropped from 26 per cent to 13 per cent between 2002 and 2012.
In sub-Saharan Africa, more than 40 per cent of the population were still affected by poverty in 2012.
In small, fragile and conflict-affected countries, the percentage of poor people in the population is particularly high.

Targets

Eradicate extreme poverty Reduce poverty by half Social protection Economic resources and property Resistance to disasters Mobilise financial resources Create policy frameworks

1.1 Eradicate extreme poverty

By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day

1.2 Reduce poverty by half

By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions

1.3 Social protection

Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable

1.4 Economic resources and property

By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology and financial services, including microfinance

1.5 Resistance to disasters

By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters

1.a Mobilise financial resources

Ensure significant mobilization of resources from a variety of sources, including through enhanced development cooperation, in order to provide adequate and predictable means for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, to implement programmes and policies to end poverty in all its dimensions

1.b Create policy frameworks

Create sound policy frameworks at the national, regional and international levels, based on pro-poor and gender-sensitive development strategies, to support accelerated investment in poverty eradication actions

Bill and Melinda Gates – Photo (c) Michael Hanson, Gates Foundation — Bill and Melinda Gates, Gates Foundation, USA – Photo (c) Michael Hanson, Gates Foundation

“Poverty is not just about a lack of money. It’s about the absence of the resources the poor need to realize their potential.”

Source: Gates Foundation

All content

Africa

Uganda: Women use the power of knowledge to escape poverty

MP3 players are being used as a valuable source of information for health and general well-being. A German couple are distributing the portable devices to improve the lives of illiterate women in rural areas.

Essay employment

New ways to tackle the global jobs crisis

Work is the best way to reduce poverty – yet more than one billion people have no job or are underemployed. In the fight against rising unemployment, new approaches and policy ideas are needed, explains David Robalino, a labour market expert at the World Bank.

A strong voice: Auma Obama’s Sauti Kuu Foundation

Auma Obama: “It’s up to each individual to improve his or her own life”

Through her Sauti Kuu Foundation, Auma Obama is supporting children and young people in her native Kenya. The Germany-Alumna is convinced that, with the right support, everyone can take control of their own lives.

Climate risk insurance: assistance in natural disasters

Climate risk insurance: when weather and climate become hazards

Nowadays, there is insurance for almost everything. But for many of those who see their livelihoods being blown away – in a very literal sense – by a tropical cyclone, there is often no social safety net. Most of the time, it is the poorest who are defenceless against natural disasters.

Interview with Christina Ulardic: Climate risk insurance – what are the benefits?

“Insurance makes people more aware of weather-related and climate risks”

Droughts, floods and storms are occurring more frequently worldwide as a result of climate change, threatening the livelihoods of millions of people. In our interview, Christina Ulardic from insurance provider Swiss Re reports on how climate risk insurance builds vulnerable communities’ resilience.

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“We can be the first generation that ends poverty and the last that avoids the worst effects of climate change.”

Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General from 2007 to 2016

Find out more about the 2030 Agenda