Kerala Achieves Extreme Poverty Eradication

Summary of Key Points on Kerala's Eradication of Extreme Poverty

Achievement Highlights

• Kerala, under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has announced the eradication of extreme poverty, becoming the first Indian state to achieve this status.
• Despite this progress, issues persist, prompting calls for cooperation among political parties to address remaining challenges.

Definition of Extreme Poverty

• Extreme Poverty Threshold: Defined by the World Bank as living on less than $3 per day (2021 PPP).
• Poverty Classification:
  • Lower-middle-income countries: Below $4.20 per day.
  • Upper-middle-income countries: Below $8.30 per day.
• The World Bank revised the international poverty line from $2.15 to $3.00 in June 2025 based on 2017 PPP.

Current Global and National Context

• Global Status: Approximately 838 million people lived in extreme poverty as of 2022.
• India's Progress:
  • Extreme poverty reduced from 16.2% (2011-12) to 2.3% (2022-23), translating to 171 million people lifted above this threshold.
  • Employment improvements noted, though youth employment and gender disparities remain issues.

Kerala's Strategic Approach

• Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme (EPEP): Launched shortly after the Vijayan government took office in May 2021.
• Local self-government department implemented micro-plans targeting:
  • Health
  • Food Security
  • Shelter
  • Education
• Identified a total of 118,309 families facing extreme poverty, narrowed down to 59,000 after verification processes.

Specific Interventions

• Life Mission Scheme: Provided homes to 4,005 out of 4,677 homeless families identified.
• Food support was extended to 20,648 families lacking steady food supply.
• Avakasam Athivegam Campaign: Ensured beneficiary families received crucial civic documentation and essential services.

Societal and Economic Indicators

• Employment trends indicate urban employment was at 6.6%, the lowest since 2017-18.
• Gender employment rate stands at 31%, with only 23% of non-farm jobs being formalized, indicating a significant informal sector in agriculture and self-employment.

Political Context and Support

• Recognition of the role played by the Opposition in supporting the government’s initiatives to address extreme poverty.

Conclusion

Kerala's achievement in eradicating extreme poverty showcases targeted governance and community involvement, even as the state continues to face socio-economic challenges that require a collective political approach. The success in implementing localized solutions under EPEP serves as a model for poverty alleviation initiatives across India.