Despite the notable contribution of Peruvian economic growth in reducing the poverty Over the last two decades, gaps in access to basic services such as water, internet, electricity and sanitation persist, according to the World Bank.
With the pandemic, close to 60% of households do not have one or more of the essential services despite the better ones driven by the GDP bonanza. In addition, only 39% of homes have safe water and there are only 17 doctors for every 10,000 inhabitants (the WHO recommends 23).
“In terms of quality, there are gaps, and it is also uneven throughout the territory. There have been improvements in access, but quality remains pending,” said Carlos Rodríguez-Castelán, manager of the Poverty and Equity Practice for Latam and the caribbean of the BM.
Figures from the World Bank indicate an increase in poverty in Peru. Photo: diffusion
Beware of urban poverty
Seven out of 10 poor Peruvians are in the urban area. Besides, two out of every five citizens are vulnerable and run the risk of falling (close to 40% of the Peruvian population by 2021, according to the World Bank).
The World Bank emphasizes that poverty has become a predominantly urban phenomenon, although —compared to the rural ones— the latter suffer more deprivation and have more vulnerable jobs; however, it is necessary to identify the most vulnerable in cities to mitigate the damage.
According to the main researcher of the IEP and former head of the Midis, Carolina Trivelli, it is necessary to engage in the opportunities that economic growth generates for needy urban households, since —since the majority are also in extreme poverty— hunger problems are more severe in a period of high inflation.
He also urged local government authorities to participate, since they are the ones who best know the new poor Peruvian.
The former head of the MEF Alfredo Thorne regretted that with the money spent by the Government, access to these services has not been guaranteed for households, and recommended “taking out of the trunk” a MEF plan for social protection and formalization, since it is not enough to lift the person out of poverty, but it is necessary to avoid making them vulnerable.
Government seeks to reduce poverty in the next 8 years. Photo: Andean
figures
- 2 million Peruvians fell into poverty between 2019 and 2021. 26% of the population is poor at bicentennial.
- 85% of the reduction in poverty in Peru was due to economic growth, according to the World Bank.
The word
Carolina Trivelli, former Midis owner
“For this (rural) group we already have an arsenal of instruments. We must combine growth with policy decisions oriented to the urban poor”.
Source: Larepublica
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