What are some causes of poverty around the world?


Quick Answer

Some causes of poverty around the world include a lack of control over local resources, high population density, lack of access to education and marital instability. National debt, vulnerability to natural disasters and unstable food prices also contribute to poverty.

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Full Answer

Countries that lack control of local resources are more susceptible to poverty because valuable resources are exploited and exported to wealthier nations without the poor benefiting from those resources.

High populations put pressure on the available resources in a country. The resources can only support a certain number of people. Insufficient resources for a large population results in high prices and leads to people of lower incomes not having access to food, energy or health care.

Marital instability and gender discrimination are primary sources of poverty among women. They are a significant factor in keeping many women and children around the world in poverty.

National debt often induces the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to require poorer nations to open their markets to outside business and investors, thereby increasing competition with local businesses.

Vulnerability to natural disasters including drought, rainfall and flooding are some of the causes of poverty by weather. Governments often devote resources to developing capital cities instead of expanding infrastructure in more provincial regions. When natural disasters strike, the undeveloped areas take longer to rebuild, and social progress is delayed.

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