A look at poverty in the developing countries of Asia

Publication Date: January 2000

Publisher: East-West Center

Author(s): James C. Knowles

Research Area: Population and demographics; Social conditions

Type: Brief

Coverage: Asia

Abstract:

The financial crisis of 1997 caused widespread unemployment and loss of income in the developing economies of East and Southeast Asia. Although less affected by the crisis, most countries in South Asia have large numbers of people living in poverty due, in part, to rapid population growth. In absolute terms, more people live below the poverty line in Asia today than in 1995. Asian population groups who suffer from "income poverty" are frequently also disadvantaged in terms of social indicators such as adult literacy, life expectancy at birth, and child malnutrition.