Why Poverty hasn't reduced significantly in Pakistan
- Thread starter third eye
- Start date
MultaniGuy
BANNED
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2017
- Messages
- 12,243
- Reaction score
- -6
- Country
- Location
Zee-shaun
SENIOR MEMBER
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2016
- Messages
- 2,693
- Reaction score
- 4
- Country
- Location
Most of the stats published in Pakistan are estimates whereas we have a parallel economy which is believed to be around 60% of the nominal GDP. It is impossible to come up with credible estimates regarding poverty or anything else in Pakistan.
To say that 30% lives under the poverty line is absolutely nonsense. To those who come up with such claims I'd like to say please come to Pakistan and visit the slums of Karachi, Lahore or any other city and see how the retail bizz is blooming at night. Even the beggars make a decent earning, an average rs1500/- pizza is not considered a luxury and even a toota phoota street dhaba charges rs150 per plate for simple food and its usually packed. Yes we are a poor country but poverty is exaggerated.
To say that 30% lives under the poverty line is absolutely nonsense. To those who come up with such claims I'd like to say please come to Pakistan and visit the slums of Karachi, Lahore or any other city and see how the retail bizz is blooming at night. Even the beggars make a decent earning, an average rs1500/- pizza is not considered a luxury and even a toota phoota street dhaba charges rs150 per plate for simple food and its usually packed. Yes we are a poor country but poverty is exaggerated.
Exactly...I know, that we see mant Pakistan posters post crappy things about India itself..But that does not mean, we should start doing the same..I will suggest to delete or close the thread...
Where is the 30% figure coming from? Pakistan has seen very significant reduction in poverty since the turn of the century. The world bank figures prove that:
http://povertydata.worldbank.org/poverty/country/PAK
The WB poverty line being used is $1.90, which gives a poverty rate of 6.1% in 2013 (that number is likely lower in 2018). $1.9 at PPP is already the well accepted poverty line globally. So going from $1.9 to $2 per day will increase the poverty rate tenfold? That makes zero sense.
I am going to guess that the 30% figure came from some wikipedia page edited by bharatis. Which would be very generous of them, given they used to make up poverty rates between 40-50% not too long ago.
http://povertydata.worldbank.org/poverty/country/PAK
The WB poverty line being used is $1.90, which gives a poverty rate of 6.1% in 2013 (that number is likely lower in 2018). $1.9 at PPP is already the well accepted poverty line globally. So going from $1.9 to $2 per day will increase the poverty rate tenfold? That makes zero sense.
I am going to guess that the 30% figure came from some wikipedia page edited by bharatis. Which would be very generous of them, given they used to make up poverty rates between 40-50% not too long ago.
Last edited:
Imad.Khan
SENIOR MEMBER
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2015
- Messages
- 6,961
- Reaction score
- 9
- Country
- Location
Poverty, just like almost everything nowadays is a political statement and nothing more. If there were no poor people who will vote for these criminals that head to the parliament by handing out a plate of biryani or Rs5000 per vote.
On a more serious note, to combat poverty, we need to narrow down to the cause of poverty and then work on eliminating those. These are the 5 main reasons for poverty increase in Pakistan.
1. Overpopulation
The higher the population the less jobs will be available and the competition will be high.
2. Limited Skills
When majority of the work-force is unskilled, it reduces the income potential which combines with rising inflation is also a major contributor to poverty increase.
3. Industrial Downturn
Industries are a major source of jobs. With Pakistan industrial sector dwindling, it is also taking away the precious employment opportunities which in turn is also a major hurdle towards poverty reduction.
4. Expensive Education & Health
When middle class people have to dig deep to pay for education and medical bills, how much impact will that have on the low income people. Limited/no education and crippled with health issues a low income household has almost no chance of climbing out of the poverty barrel.
5. Cultural
In majority house-holds in Pakistan, only 1 person works while the rest eat of him. The most common saying is "Abhi tu woh bacha hai" for a guy in his mid-20s
Control these and you will be able to address the poverty issue
On a more serious note, to combat poverty, we need to narrow down to the cause of poverty and then work on eliminating those. These are the 5 main reasons for poverty increase in Pakistan.
1. Overpopulation
The higher the population the less jobs will be available and the competition will be high.
2. Limited Skills
When majority of the work-force is unskilled, it reduces the income potential which combines with rising inflation is also a major contributor to poverty increase.
3. Industrial Downturn
Industries are a major source of jobs. With Pakistan industrial sector dwindling, it is also taking away the precious employment opportunities which in turn is also a major hurdle towards poverty reduction.
4. Expensive Education & Health
When middle class people have to dig deep to pay for education and medical bills, how much impact will that have on the low income people. Limited/no education and crippled with health issues a low income household has almost no chance of climbing out of the poverty barrel.
5. Cultural
In majority house-holds in Pakistan, only 1 person works while the rest eat of him. The most common saying is "Abhi tu woh bacha hai" for a guy in his mid-20s
Control these and you will be able to address the poverty issue
MultaniGuy
BANNED
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2017
- Messages
- 12,243
- Reaction score
- -6
- Country
- Location
Hopefully Pakistan will become an industrialized society soon.
Similar threads
- Article
