The True Cost of Poverty
Ali Nawaz Rahimoo
Umarkot: Poverty remains one of Pakistan’s greatest obstacles to sustainable development. It is far more than a shortage of income; it is the denial of opportunities and basic human rights.
For millions of Pakistanis, poverty means limited access to quality education, healthcare, clean water, sanitation, decent housing, and stable employment.
Despite successive government initiatives, millions of families continue to struggle to meet even their most basic needs, making it clear that poverty is not merely an economic issue but a national development crisis.
The roots of poverty are deep and interconnected. Unemployment and underemployment continue to deny young people the opportunity to build secure livelihoods. Each year, thousands enter the labor market, but the economy fails to generate enough decent jobs.
Many workers remain trapped in the informal sector, where low wages, job insecurity, and the absence of social protection keep families in a cycle of hardship.
The situation has worsened in recent years. According to the World Bank, Pakistan’s poverty rate rose to 44.7 percent in 2025 from 39.8 percent four years earlier, leaving nearly 107 million people living below the lower-middle-income poverty line of US$4.20 per day. At the same time, rising inflation has sharply increased the cost of food, fuel, electricity, healthcare, and transportation, eroding household purchasing power.
For many families, nearly every rupee is spent on survival, leaving little room for education, healthcare, or savings.
Education remains the most effective path out of poverty, yet millions of children continue to face barriers to schooling. Financial hardship, inadequate school facilities, teacher shortages, and social constraints force many students, particularly in rural areas, to leave school early.
Without education and vocational skills, young people have little chance of securing productive employment, perpetuating poverty across generations.
Rapid population growth has further intensified these challenges by increasing pressure on schools, hospitals, housing, and employment. At the same time, agriculture, the backbone of rural livelihoods, is under growing strain from water shortages, outdated farming practices, rising production costs, and climate change.
Floods, droughts, and extreme weather continue to destroy crops, livestock, and rural infrastructure, pushing vulnerable communities deeper into poverty.
Women and children bear the heaviest burden. Many women spend hours collecting water and fuel instead of pursuing education or employment, while financial hardship and social traditions continue to keep many girls out of school.
Children from poor families often suffer from malnutrition, inadequate healthcare, and poor living conditions. Too many are forced into labor in farms, workshops, brick kilns, restaurants, or domestic service, sacrificing their education and future prospects simply to help their families survive.
Poverty also takes a severe toll on public health. Families frequently delay medical treatment because they cannot afford it, while many rural communities lack nearby hospitals, qualified doctors, and essential medicines.
Climate change has made the situation even more precarious by increasing the frequency of floods, droughts, and heatwaves that destroy livelihoods and force families into displacement and deeper economic insecurity.
Beyond its human cost, poverty weakens Pakistan’s economy. An undereducated and unhealthy workforce reduces productivity, discourages investment, and limits economic competitiveness. Persistent inequality further concentrates opportunities among a privileged few while excluding millions from the benefits of growth.
No country can achieve lasting prosperity when such a large share of its population remains trapped in deprivation.
Reducing poverty demands more than temporary relief measures. Pakistan needs sustained economic growth that creates decent jobs, greater investment in quality education and healthcare, stronger social protection, modernized agriculture, climate resilience, rural development, women’s economic empowerment, and transparent governance.
Expanding vocational training and supporting small businesses can also help create lasting opportunities for millions.
Pakistan’s future depends on its ability to confront poverty with seriousness and determination. A truly prosperous nation cannot be built while millions are denied the opportunity to live with dignity.
Combating poverty is not only an economic necessity but also a moral responsibility. Only through inclusive development, equal opportunity, and effective public policy can Pakistan build a more just, resilient, and prosperous society.
