Chronic Poverty Report 2008-09: Escaping Poverty Traps

"Chronic Poverty Report 2008-09: Escaping Poverty Traps." The dimensions of the problem of chronic poverty are reviewed and the Chronic Poverty Report 2008-09 looks at possible solutions. Five main traps that underpin chronic poverty are examined – insecurity, limited citizenship, spatial disadvantage, social discrimination and poor work opportunities. Key policy responses to these are presented.

We argue that the development of a ‘just social compact’ between citizens and states must be the focus for poverty eradication. Development actors can nurture such a compact through social protection, public services, effective anti-discrimination action, gender empowerment, economic growth and fiscal policy, and the management of migration and urbanisation processes.

To show the human face behind the statistics and policies, we intertwine the life stories of seven chronically poor people from across Asia and Africa into the report. The descriptions of the lives of Angel, Moses, Txab, Vuyiswa, Bakyt, and Maymana and Mofizul, help the reader to better appreciate the complex and varied causes of chronic poverty.

Most people in chronic poverty strive and work to improve their livelihoods, and to create a better future for their children, in difficult circumstances. They need real commitment matched by actions and resources, to support their efforts and overcome the obstacles that trap them in poverty.

We argue that tackling chronic poverty is the global priority of our time and that eradicating poverty by 2025 is a feasible goal – if national governments and international organisations are willing to make the necessary political commitments and resource allocations.

It is our hope that this report will inspire deeper reflection on how to tackle chronic poverty effectively and – most of all – will stimulate action to make it happen.


The Chronic Poverty Research Centre is an international partnership of universities, research institutes and NGOs which exists:

to focus attention on chronic poverty
to stimulate national and international debate
to deepen understanding of the causes of chronic poverty
to provide research, analysis and policy guidance that will contribute to its reduction.
CPRC was established in 2000 with initial funding from the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID).

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