Consequences of Poverty | Cosmetologist.org

Poverty has severe and long-lasting consequences, affecting not only individuals but also communities and societies as a whole. According to the World Bank, in 2020, an estimated 736 million people lived in extreme poverty, surviving on less than $1.90 a day. The consequences of poverty include limited access to education, healthcare, and job opportunities, leading to a cycle of deprivation that can be difficult to break. For instance, a study by the National Center for Education Statistics found that in 2019, 64% of children from low-income families in the United States scored below the proficient level in reading, compared to 24% of their peers from higher-income families. Furthermore, poverty can also have a profound impact on mental and physical health, with a study by the American Psychological Association finding that in 2019, 30% of adults living in poverty reported experiencing major depressive disorder, compared to 15% of adults with higher incomes. The consequences of poverty are a pressing concern, with the United Nations estimating that if current trends continue, 6% of the world's population will still be living in extreme poverty by 2030, despite the Sustainable Development Goal to eradicate poverty by that year. As noted by economist Jeffrey Sachs, 'poverty is not just an economic issue, but a moral and humanitarian one, requiring a comprehensive and sustained response from governments, civil society, and the private sector.'