SDG 1: A world with no poverty
No Poverty is the first of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It sets out an ambitious commitment: to end poverty in all its forms, everywhere. The goal recognises that poverty is about more than a lack of money. It can also mean limited access to food, healthcare, education, safe housing, decent work and the opportunity to shape one’s own future.
What does “no poverty” mean?
People experiencing poverty often face several disadvantages at once. A family may struggle to afford essentials while also living far from healthcare or education. An illness, job loss, conflict or natural disaster can make an already difficult situation worse. Poverty can also be passed from one generation to the next when children lack the support and opportunities they need to thrive.
SDG 1 therefore calls for action that tackles both immediate hardship and its underlying causes. Its targets include reducing extreme poverty, expanding social protection, improving access to basic services and helping communities become more resilient to economic, social and environmental shocks.
Why ending poverty matters
Poverty limits people’s choices and can prevent them from living safe, healthy and fulfilling lives. It is closely linked to hunger, poor health, unequal access to education and insecure work. It can also increase vulnerability to exploitation, discrimination and homelessness.
Progress on No Poverty supports progress across all the Sustainable Development Goals. For example, access to education can help people gain skills and find decent work. Reliable healthcare can prevent illness from pushing households into financial hardship. Climate-resilient homes and livelihoods can help communities withstand floods, droughts and other hazards.
What needs to change?
Ending poverty requires more than emergency assistance, although that support can be vital. It also means building fairer systems that give people the means to live with security and dignity. This can include:
- Reliable social protection, such as income support and pensions
- Access to affordable healthcare, education, housing, water and sanitation
- Decent work, fair pay and safe working conditions
- Equal opportunities and protection from discrimination
- Support for small businesses and sustainable livelihoods
- Preparedness for crises, including conflict, economic shocks and climate-related disasters
These solutions must reflect local needs and include the voices of people who experience poverty. Policies are more likely to work when communities help shape them and when support is accessible, respectful and suited to people’s circumstances.
How can we contribute?
Governments have a central role in reducing poverty through public services, fair employment policies and social protection. Businesses can contribute by paying fair wages, providing safe work and supporting responsible supply chains. Charities and community groups can offer practical support, connect people with services and advocate for lasting change.
Individuals can help too: by supporting trusted organisations, challenging stigma, volunteering where appropriate and learning about the causes of poverty. It is important to recognise that people experiencing poverty are not responsible for the barriers they face. The focus should be on removing those barriers and expanding access to opportunity.
A shared responsibility
No Poverty is a promise to ensure that everyone can meet their basic needs and participate in society. Achieving it will take sustained effort, cooperation and policies that reach people who are most at risk of being left behind.
Ending poverty is possible, but it requires action at every level—from international commitments and national policy to local support and community solidarity. By addressing the causes of poverty as well as its effects, we can help build a fairer, safer and more sustainable future for everyone.
Advancing Dignity and Equality: The Benefits of No Poverty Sustainable Development Goals
- Promotes dignity and opportunity for everyone.
- Improves access to food, healthcare and education.
- Supports decent work and fair incomes.
- Builds resilience to crises and climate impacts.
- Helps create healthier, more equal communities.
Challenges in Achieving No Poverty: Uneven Progress, Funding Hurdles, and External Threats
- Progress is uneven between countries and communities.
- Funding effective anti-poverty programmes can be difficult.
- Conflict and climate change can worsen poverty.
Promotes dignity and opportunity for everyone.
The No Poverty Sustainable Development Goal promotes dignity and opportunity for everyone by helping people access the essentials and support they need to live secure, independent lives. When people can afford food and housing, access education and healthcare, and find decent work, they have greater freedom to make choices and shape their futures. Tackling poverty also helps remove barriers that exclude people from society, creating fairer opportunities for individuals, families and communities to thrive.
Improves access to food, healthcare and education.
Ending poverty helps more people access the essentials needed to live healthy, secure and fulfilling lives. When families have a reliable income and effective social support, they are better able to afford nutritious food, seek healthcare when they need it and give children the chance to attend school. Improving access to these services can break cycles of disadvantage, expand opportunities and help communities thrive.
Supports decent work and fair incomes.
Ending poverty supports decent work and fair incomes by helping people access secure jobs, fair pay and safe working conditions. When workers are paid enough to meet their needs and are protected from exploitation, they and their families can enjoy greater financial security and plan for the future. Creating decent employment also strengthens communities and helps reduce inequality, making it an essential part of achieving the United Nations’ No Poverty Sustainable Development Goal.
Builds resilience to crises and climate impacts.
Ending poverty helps people and communities become more resilient to crises and climate impacts. When people have access to secure incomes, social protection, healthcare and safe housing, they are better placed to cope with events such as job losses, extreme weather and rising living costs. Investing in resilient livelihoods and essential services can also help communities prepare for and recover from disasters, reducing the risk that a single shock will push people deeper into poverty.
Helps create healthier, more equal communities.
Ending poverty helps create healthier, more equal communities by giving everyone better access to essentials such as nutritious food, safe housing, healthcare and education. When people can meet their basic needs and take part in society, they are more likely to enjoy better health, find decent work and build secure futures. Reducing poverty also helps narrow inequalities, strengthens community connections and ensures that more people have the opportunity to thrive.
Progress is uneven between countries and communities.
Progress towards the No Poverty Sustainable Development Goal is uneven between countries and communities. Some have made significant gains, while others continue to face conflict, economic hardship, climate-related disasters and limited access to essential services. Inequality within countries also means that progress may not reach everyone equally, particularly people in rural areas and those facing discrimination. As a result, many people risk being left behind unless efforts are better targeted to local needs and the communities experiencing the greatest barriers.
Funding effective anti-poverty programmes can be difficult.
A key challenge in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of No Poverty is securing reliable funding for effective anti-poverty programmes. Initiatives such as income support, affordable housing, healthcare and skills training require sustained investment, while public budgets are limited and needs can vary between communities. Short-term or uncertain funding can also make it difficult for organisations to plan ahead, maintain services and measure lasting results. Without careful prioritisation, transparency and long-term commitment from governments, donors and other partners, the people most in need may not receive consistent support.
Conflict and climate change can worsen poverty.
Conflict and climate change can make it much harder to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of No Poverty. Conflict may force people to leave their homes, disrupt education and healthcare, destroy livelihoods and make essential goods scarce or unaffordable. At the same time, climate-related hazards such as floods, droughts and heatwaves can damage homes, crops and infrastructure, putting communities’ incomes and food security at risk. These pressures often affect people already experiencing poverty most severely, making it harder for them to recover and increasing the chance that hardship will continue for generations.