Poverty remains the greatest global challenge facing humanity, but it is a challenge that can be solved, according to Professor Sabina Alkire, director of the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI).
In a recent interview with Xinhua, Alkire shared findings from OPHI's latest study, which shows that out of 6.3 billion people across 112 countries, 1.1 billion - or about 18.3 percent - live in acute multidimensional poverty. Notably, 40 percent of these individuals reside in regions affected by conflict, instability, or low levels of peacefulness.
Alkire emphasized the complex relationship between poverty and conflict, noting that while conflict can drive poverty, poverty itself can also destabilize individuals, communities, and entire societies.
Despite the stark data, Alkire expressed optimism about the possibility of progress, saying that "it's not radically difficult" to make real headway. The challenge lies more in mobilizing action and celebrating successes to inspire further efforts, she added.
The professor cited encouraging examples such as India, where over 200 million people escaped multidimensional poverty between 2005 and 2019, and Cambodia, which halved its poverty rate in just over seven years. Even countries grappling with crises - like Sierra Leone during the Ebola outbreak - achieved notable improvements.
Alkire also highlighted China's achievements in poverty reduction, calling its efforts instructive and impactful. Her team has collaborated with the International Poverty Reduction Center in China, conducting research in regions such as Inner Mongolia and Guizhou.
One standout feature, she said, is China's "one-to-one" pairing system, where each impoverished household is paired with both a frontline worker and a backup official. This approach, she observed, fosters accountability and builds meaningful, empowering relationships that support long-term solutions.
Beyond funding, Alkire praised China's use of strong data systems, organizational capacity, and incentive structures. She noted that many other governments are adopting similar tools, including social registries and multidimensional benefit programs.
She also pointed to China's role in global knowledge-sharing, having hosted delegates from countries like Mexico and Colombia, and sent Chinese delegates to rural areas of South Africa to exchange poverty alleviation experiences.
However, Alkire voiced concern over a recent decline in global development aid, particularly in the face of economic uncertainty. She warned that with funding cuts from agencies such as the United States Agency for International Development, poverty data covering around 3 billion people could soon become unavailable, hampering global monitoring and response efforts.
"These are very difficult times," she said, referring to the retreat of traditional donors and development institutions. Nevertheless, she remains hopeful that new actors - including youth groups, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector - will step in to fill the gap.
As a researcher, Alkire underscored the importance of equipping these new players with up-to-date, accessible data. With accurate metrics, she said, they can take well-informed, high-impact actions that effectively address the hardships experienced by those in poverty.
