A comparative study of poverty reduction strategies of Thailand and Nigeria

Abstract

Poverty continues to pose a significant challenge globally. In 1990, an estimated 1.9 billion people were living in extreme poverty, constituting 36% of the world population. By 2015, global poverty estimates indicated that 735 million people were living in extreme poverty, which accounted for 10% of the world population. Thailand has successfully implemented a poverty alleviation strategy and achieved significant progress. In contrast, Nigeria has struggled to effectively implement poverty reduction strategies, resulting in limited success in addressing poverty issues. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to 1) the factors contributing to the high poverty rate in Nigeria from 1990 to 2022, 2) analyze the poverty reduction strategies implemented by Thailand from 1990 to 2022, and 3) propose recommendations for Nigeria to adopt strategies from Thailand’s successful poverty reduction efforts. The data collection for this study employed semi-structured interviews, involving 12 participants with relevant experience in the field of poverty reduction. The results of the interviews illustrated several factors contributing to the poverty rate in Nigeria, including corruption, conflict and insecurity, political instability, ineffective policy implementation, and inadequate infrastructure. Conversely, the interviews revealed mechanisms implemented by Thailand to reduce poverty, such as comprehensive sustainable development initiatives, social protection programs, investment in human capital, adoption of the sufficiency economy philosophy, and measures to enhance food security. Based on the conducted interviews, the discussion identifies three primary factors contributing to the high poverty rate in Nigeria: corruption, conflict and insecurity, and inadequate access to employment opportunities. Furthermore, the interviews reveal five main strategies implemented by Thailand to reduce poverty: comprehensive sustainability initiatives, investment in human capital, establishment of social welfare programs, creation of a protection net, and measures to enhance food security