The World Bank’s recent report reveals that despite reductions in poverty, Colombia faces significant inequalities that limit access to opportunities across social groups and regions. Over 16 million people live in poverty, with stark disparities affecting vulnerable populations. The report calls for improved public services and institutional coordination to enhance equity and ensure sustainable growth for all Colombians.
Colombia has made notable progress in reducing poverty, even amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, stark inequalities remain, particularly regarding access to opportunities among various social groups and regions. The World Bank’s recent report, titled “Trajectories: Prosperity and Poverty Reduction in the Colombian Territory,” emphasizes how an individual’s birthplace can heavily influence their future prospects, highlighting the necessity of combating these disparities to achieve sustainable growth.
Historical inefficiencies in the State’s provision of quality public services have fueled these inequalities across different departments and municipalities. This uneven access results in significant barriers to acquiring essential assets such as education, healthcare, land, and housing, critically impacting the quality of life, particularly for vulnerable populations such as Indigenous groups in areas like La Guajira, Vaupés, and Amazonas.
The report notes that limited access to vital resources often leads to fewer economic opportunities, poor job quality, and diminished social mobility. Approximately 30% of labor income inequality is rooted in an individual’s circumstances at birth, reinforcing the link between personal well-being and parental background.
Peter Siegenthaler, World Bank Country Manager for Colombia, states, “This report highlights the urgent need to address the deep inequalities that persist in Colombia… We must work together to ensure that all Colombians enjoy more equitable prosperity.” The document also presents detailed municipal data on trends in monetary poverty, preventable mortality, and municipal connectivity to economic centers, exposing how climate change exacerbates the isolation of less accessible regions.
Currently, over 16 million people in Colombia are living in poverty. For instance, in La Guajira and Chocó, two-thirds of the populations are under the poverty line, compared to one-third in Boyacá, and even lower proportions in Cundinamarca. Even during periods of poverty reduction nationally, poorer municipalities have struggled to keep pace with wealthier ones, further widening disparities in well-being.
Regions with higher poverty rates also exhibit a lower percentage of formal employment, with figures below 20% in departments like Nariño and La Guajira, contrasting sharply with 67% in Bogotá. Learning poverty is also significant, with over 95% of children in some municipalities unable to read and comprehend a basic text by age 10, and over 85% of child mortality cases being preventable with proper care.
Geographical barriers and poor transport infrastructure hamper access to essential services, with 21% of municipalities hosting around four million people having limited economic connectivity, resulting in reduced opportunities. Local governments have a crucial role in addressing these challenges; however, they face problems with revenue generation and coordination, limit their effectiveness in service delivery.
To address these disparities, the report proposes new actions that include measuring social mobility at the departmental level to highlight uneven opportunities, as well as developing an index to assess the State’s service delivery across regions. Investments in essential assets and services, such as quality education, healthcare, land formalization, and improved connectivity, are critical for enhancing economic prospects, particularly in underserved regions.
Improving institutional capacities at all government levels, enhancing local governments’ technical and fiscal management, and fostering better coordination for service delivery are essential. Finally, effective policies must consider the diverse needs across the territory, ensuring an integrated approach to deliver services and remove barriers to poverty reduction.
The World Bank report underscores Colombia’s significant challenges with persistent inequalities despite advances in poverty reduction. With over 16 million Colombians living in poverty and substantial regional disparities in access to essential services, it is crucial to improve institutional capacities, increase access to quality education and healthcare, and ensure effective coordination among governmental entities. Addressing these inequalities is vital for fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth throughout the country.
Original Source: www.worldbank.org
