Persistent
and Emerging Issues in Rural Poverty Reduction
It is estimated that around 70 per cent of the region’s
poor lives and works in rural areas. This is a clear indication
that there is a need for renewed attention to the unique rural
dimensions of poverty and for greater efforts to reduce rural
poverty. While income poverty is still deeply rooted in rural
areas of Asia and the Pacific, the region is undergoing significant
economic, political, technological, social and environmental changes
which are likely to have a profound impact on the conditions of
the rural poor and their ability to lift themselves out of poverty.
While these changes are visible across the region, their impact
on rural areas and on the rural poor differs, because the conditions
of the rural poor vary widely. It is not clear if these changes
will have a positive or negative impact on the living conditions
of the rural poor. However, what is clear is that these realities
call for new assessments of and approaches to rural poverty, with
certain issues coming to the fore.
This publication examines efforts being made to alleviate rural
poverty and future challenges in tackling rural poverty given
the rapidly changing rural conditions in the region. It contains
the report of the Expert Group Meeting on Rural Poverty Reduction
and also reports on the outcome of other ESCAP activities related
to rural poverty reduction. It includes two papers, prepared by
consultants, which analyse experiences, trends and challenges
in rural poverty reduction from a South-East Asian and a South
Asian perspective. Emerging issues, trends and challenges for
the region are identified to encourage renewed thinking and initiate
innovative solutions to alleviate rural poverty in the Asia-Pacific
region.
