COVID-19 Pushed 31 Million More People Into Extreme Poverty – Gates Foundation

THE Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has revealed that 31 million more people fell into extreme poverty in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was disclosed in the Foundation’s latest Goalkeepers Report, which tracks global progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The report highlights a clear gap in recovery between rich and poor nations.

• About 90% of developed countries are expected to fully recover by next year.

• But only one in three low- and middle-income countries will return to their pre-pandemic income levels.

This means that the economic impact of COVID-19 has been much worse in less wealthy nations.

Despite the challenges, the report says global action helped prevent even worse outcomes.

For example, in 2020, experts predicted that global vaccine coverage could drop sharply, wiping out 25 years of progress in just a few months.

However, the actual drop was only half as bad as expected, thanks to international cooperation and rapid response efforts.

The report also shows that women were hit harder than men by the global recession caused by the pandemic.

This happened in both rich and poor countries.

Many women lost jobs, income, and access to essential services, making it harder for families to recover.

The fast development of COVID-19 vaccines was not a lucky break.

It was possible because of years of investment in research, public health, and global partnerships.

But most of these resources are found in wealthy countries, which meant that poorer nations were left behind in vaccine access and healthcare support.

Bill and Melinda Gates said the world must do more to help poorer nations recover.

“The last year showed us that progress is possible, but not guaranteed,” they said.

They called for more investment in healthcare, innovation, education, and local infrastructure—especially in areas that are most at risk.

They also said that if the world can build on the success of the past few years, it can recover faster and stronger.

To reduce poverty and improve global health, the report recommends:

• More research and development (R&D)

• Better infrastructure in low-income countries

• Support for women’s economic recovery

• Stronger healthcare systems

• Equal access to vaccines and medical tools

The COVID-19 pandemic has set back global progress. But with the right support and long-term investment, the world can still meet its goals.

The Gates Foundation is calling on governments, donors, and global leaders to act now; so that no one is left behind.