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Causes of Poverty

The underlying causes of poverty are a controversial, politicized issue. Many different factors have been cited to explain why poverty occurs. No single explanation has gained universal acceptance. The factors that have been alleged to cause poverty include: state discrimination and corruption, abuse of public power, lack of social integration, competition instead of co-operation, crime, natural factors such as climate or environment, historical factors, for example imperialism and colonialism, overpopulation, war, including civil war, genocide, etc.

The various causes of poverty including political, structural, environmental, technological and human are discussed at length in the chapter ‘Lost Decades: Legacy and Causes’ in ‘The Commission for Africa’s Report Our Common Interest’

The Chronic Poverty Research Center’s latest report examines what chronic poverty is and why it matters, who the chronically poor are, where they live, what causes poverty to be persistent and what should be done. A section of regional perspectives looks at the experience of chronic poverty in sub-Saharan Africa.