No Poverty (SDG 1): Ending Poverty in All Its Forms Everywhere

Introduction
Poverty remains one of the most pressing global challenges of our time. Despite significant progress over recent decades, millions of people across the world continue to live in conditions of deprivation, lacking access to basic needs such as food, shelter, healthcare, and education. The first Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 1), “No Poverty,” lies at the very heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015. It calls for the eradication of poverty in all its forms everywhere by promoting inclusive growth, ensuring equal access to resources, and providing social protection for all. Achieving this goal is foundational for the success of all other SDGs, as poverty reduction directly influences health, education, gender equality, and environmental sustainability.

Understanding Poverty and Its Dimensions

Poverty is more than a lack of income—it encompasses deprivation in well-being, limited access to essential services, and social exclusion. The World Bank defines extreme poverty as living on less than $2.15 per day (as of 2022), but poverty also includes multidimensional factors such as inadequate housing, poor sanitation, unemployment, and lack of education. In many developing countries, poverty is interlinked with systemic inequalities, social injustice, and environmental vulnerabilities.

The multidimensional poverty index (MPI), used by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), goes beyond income-based measures to capture the realities of deprivation in health, education, and living standards. This holistic approach aligns closely with the SDG 1 framework, which recognizes that poverty cannot be eradicated without addressing its structural causes.

Targets of SDG 1

The United Nations set specific targets to guide the achievement of SDG 1 by 2030:

  1. Eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere.
  2. Reduce by half the proportion of people living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
  3. Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems for all, including floors, and achieve substantial coverage of the poor and vulnerable.
  4. Ensure equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and property, inheritance, and natural resources.
  5. Build the resilience of the poor to reduce their vulnerability to climate-related events, economic shocks, and other disasters.

These targets underscore the multidimensional nature of poverty and the need for integrated strategies that combine economic, social, and environmental interventions.

Global Progress and Challenges

Since 1990, the world has made substantial progress in reducing poverty. According to the World Bank, more than 1 billion people have escaped extreme poverty. However, this progress has been uneven, and global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and conflicts have reversed many of these gains.

The pandemic alone pushed an estimated 120 million people back into extreme poverty in 2020, marking the first global rise in poverty in over two decades. Furthermore, poverty reduction has slowed in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, regions that account for the majority of the world’s poor. Climate change continues to threaten livelihoods, particularly among smallholder farmers, fisherfolk, and rural workers who depend heavily on natural resources.

The challenge is not only to lift people above the poverty line but to sustain their progress through inclusive growth, access to decent work, and social protection systems that cushion against shocks.

Strategies for Achieving SDG 1

  1. Inclusive Economic Growth
    Sustainable economic growth that creates decent jobs is key to reducing poverty. Investment in labor-intensive sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and renewable energy can generate employment opportunities for vulnerable groups. Promoting entrepreneurship, especially among women and youth, can also drive inclusive development.
  2. Social Protection Systems
    Universal social protection schemes—such as pensions, unemployment benefits, health insurance, and child allowances—are essential to shield vulnerable populations from poverty. Countries like Brazil (through Bolsa Família) and India (through MGNREGA and direct benefit transfers) demonstrate how large-scale programs can improve livelihoods and promote social equity.
  3. Education and Skill Development
    Education empowers individuals to escape the cycle of poverty. Access to quality education and vocational training enhances employability and productivity, especially in developing economies. Bridging the digital divide is equally important in today’s knowledge-driven world.
  4. Access to Resources and Land Rights
    Ensuring equitable access to land, property, credit, and technology is fundamental. Land reforms, microfinance programs, and women’s empowerment initiatives can enhance income security and resilience.
  5. Resilience to Climate and Economic Shocks
    Poor communities are disproportionately affected by natural disasters and economic crises. Investing in climate-resilient agriculture, disaster risk management, and sustainable infrastructure can reduce vulnerability and protect livelihoods.
  6. Global Partnerships and Financing
    Achieving SDG 1 requires strong international cooperation. Developed countries must fulfill their commitments to Official Development Assistance (ODA) and support capacity-building in developing nations. Public-private partnerships and innovative financing models also play a crucial role in scaling poverty reduction efforts.

The Way Forward

To end poverty in all its forms, a holistic and coordinated approach is essential—one that integrates economic policy, social welfare, environmental sustainability, and good governance. Governments must focus on reducing inequality, empowering marginalized communities, and strengthening social safety nets. Civil society and private sectors must collaborate to create inclusive markets and employment opportunities, while academia and media can contribute by promoting awareness and evidence-based policymaking.

Technological innovation can also be harnessed for poverty alleviation. Digital finance, mobile banking, and e-governance platforms are transforming how people access services and opportunities, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

Conclusion

SDG 1—No Poverty—is not merely a moral imperative but a practical necessity for global stability and sustainable development. Eradicating poverty lays the foundation for achieving every other goal, from quality education and health to gender equality and climate action. The path ahead demands a renewed commitment to justice, inclusivity, and shared prosperity. As the world moves toward 2030, achieving SDG 1 will depend on collective action—governments, organizations, and citizens working together to ensure that no one is left behind.