By Laurina B. Lormia
(Cub-reporter)
The World Bank says that the face of poverty in Liberia is mainly among the young people, and especially affecting the female population.
The international partner added that it is like, “The face of someone who has had little or no access to education, healthcare, and basic services like water and sanitation, especially girls, who are most challenged with these issues, could have little or no impact on her personal development, as well as contribute to national development.”
Making the disclosure at the launch of the Liberia Poverty Assessment Report on March 18, 2024, the World Bank Country Manager, Georgia Wallen, said, though the numbers are high, behind the numbers are individuals, and that they are much more likely to come from rural areas.
According to the World Bank Country Manager, the gender poverty gap was narrowing among young people, with a slight advantage for women, but from around the mid-40s, the gender gap begins to reverse, with lower poverty among males than females, and that has widened with age.
The report outlined that the age and gender profiles changed somewhat between 2014 and 2016, likely reflecting the impact of the economic contraction, which affected most household members who are the primary earners.
As Liberia traces its challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in its Vision 2030 target, the report stressed that Liberian women and men have distinguished themselves at the global level, with world-class achievements in spheres as diverse as international affairs, business, and sports, among many others.
It emphasized that Liberia shows potential to beat the odds, but that will only come from harnessing and leveraging Liberia’s strengths, managing Liberia’s resources well, and investing in people, which is fundamental for Liberians now and in the future.
The report also focused on leveraging data and knowledge, including guiding well informed policy action.
The Poverty Assessment report further showed that about 40 percent of Liberia’s population continue to live in rural areas, relying on subsistence agriculture and low productivity jobs.
“Less than a third of the population in Montserrado is poor, while in River Gee and Maryland, 9 people out of 10 are poor; between 2014 and 2016, poverty increased in all regions, except for Monrovia and Lofa. The highest increase was observed in Grand Bassa, where households’ main economic activity is subsistence farming,” Wallen told the audience.
Meanwhile, to end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity on a livable planet, the World Bank said it is working with the Government of Liberia and all development partners to implement policies and projects for an inclusive and resilient recovery.
It assured that the human faces behind all the numbers will be discussed, and urged all stakeholders to commit to proactive, well-informed action that makes a difference for the poor and the vulnerable.
