Recent rise in poverty and its implications for poor households in Pakistan

Abstract

The rise in poverty in the 1990s has adversely affected the poor families in Pakistan. Primary school enrolment has declined; health and housing conditions have also deteriorated. There is a large gap in these indicators between the poor and non-poor households, as well as between rural and urban areas. Particular attention should be given to reducing the large urban-rural and gender disparities in primary school enrolment. While it is necessary to further investigate the causes of the decline in enrolment in the rural areas, strategies to improve the educational profile of the poor will need to account for their financial constraints so that they can take advantage of the increasing opportunities for schooling. The deterioration in health status suggests that greater emphasis should be given to primary and preventive care, particularly for low-income groups.