الفقر العالمي.. بين نمو الاقتصاد وفجوة الثروة

The world has never witnessed wealth like it does today, nor has the size of the global economy reached what it has in this era. However, poverty has not disappeared, and the gap between the rich and the poor has not narrowed to the extent that many economists had anticipated. In fact, the great paradox is that the world is becoming richer, while the feeling of inequality is increasing.

Reports from the World Bank and the United Nations indicate that hundreds of millions of people still live in poverty, despite the tremendous scientific and technological advancements. A significant portion of global wealth is concentrated in the hands of a limited number of individuals and companies, while millions of people struggle to access quality education, healthcare, housing, and decent job opportunities.

Globalization has contributed to raising living standards in many countries and has lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty, especially in Asia. However, at the same time, it has led, in some economies, to an expansion of the gap in incomes and wealth, as the more educated and technologically adept groups have benefited at a faster pace than others.

Then came the digital revolution to add a new dimension to this gap. The modern economy rewards knowledge and innovation more than ever before, and giant tech companies are achieving market values that exceed the economies of entire countries. In contrast, traditional jobs are facing increasing pressure due to automation and artificial intelligence, posing challenges for less skilled workers.

The effects of the widening wealth gap are not limited to the social aspect but extend to the economy itself. When wealth is overly concentrated, consumption among low-income groups weakens, social mobility opportunities decline, and this impacts growth and stability rates, increasing pressure on public policies.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) indicates that investment in education, training, health, women's empowerment, and support for small and medium enterprises is among the most effective policies in reducing inequality and achieving more inclusive economic growth.

In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the vision represents a model of development that focuses not only on increasing GDP but also seeks to expand economic opportunities, raise home ownership rates, empower youth and women, develop the non-profit sector, improve quality of life, and enable them to access education, work, and healthcare, providing them with a fair chance to participate in shaping the future.

The question remains: Can poverty be eradicated in the world? While complete eradication of poverty may be an extremely difficult goal, reducing it and mitigating its effects is an achievable objective if the right policies, investment in people, governance, and justice in access to opportunities are in place.