Defining Poverty
n.; the state of of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions.
(Merriam -Webster Dictionary)
Poverty in Belize
Poverty Level:
Belize
A Caribbean nation located on the eastern coast of Central America; bordered on the north by Mexico, on the south and west by Guatemala and on east by the Caribbean Sea.
Belize:
- 41,3% of individuals below the Poverty Line (Caribank, 2009).
Germany: (for comparison)
- 15,7% of individual (Deutche Welle, 2015)
Income poverty-
- When a family's income fails to meet a federally established threshold that differs across countries.
- Typically it is measured with respect to families and not the individual
- Further Categorized: Absolute, Extreme and
Relative poverty
(UNESCO)
- Area = 22.800 square kilometres (8.800 sq mi)
- Population = Approximately 380.000
- Other Features:
= Former British Colony
= Only English-speaking country in the region
= Only country to feature people on it's flag
= world's second largest Barrier Reef
= World's Largest Jaguar Reserve
= Formerly the 'heartland' of the ancitnat Maya civilization
= Extremely Diverse Population
-Ethnic Groups:
= Creole = Oriental Asians
= Maya = Mestizo
= Garinagu
= [German-speaking] Mennonites
Poverty: A Driving Force in Belize
Greater Female Labor Force Participation
Resulting Features
Higher than average Female Labor Force Participation Rate; 53,2%.
(ILOSTAT Database, 2018)
- Greater Female Labor Force Participation
- Greater need and inclusion of women as members of the household.
- Approximately 4 out of every 5 persons entering the labor force during this period (2018) were females.
- Compared to 34,5% (1990)
Industry: Tourism
Belize's second largest industry, constituting 17% of the national GDP
Prevalence in Culture
,,It's Not an Easy Road" (Lyrics)
- While poverty does not directly contribute to this; we consider it's impact on culture and society.
- Obvious: relatively lower prices on goods and services.
- But, lack of widespread development has allowed for pristine areas and simpler lifestyles for visitors to immerse themselves.
Caribbean culture is generally one of perseverance in the face of adversity.
[Verse 1]
Who feels it knows
Lord help me sustain these blows
From the minute of birth you enter this earth
Obstacles in your way to overcome first
Throughout everyday they seem to get worse
[...]
No matter what the world may say on the street
Must have to survive, won't accept defeat
Now I'm weary, tired and dreary
Got no time to waste
You better know...
[Chorus]
It's not an easy road
Many see the glamour and the glitter
And think it's a bed of rose
Who feels it knows
- This is no different for Belize.
- Expressed in our:
= Art
= Music
= Colloquiallism
= Demeanor
- ,,Plantain nuh dih eat like rice."
- ,, One, one plantain full dih basket"
Poverty as a Driving Force: Belize
Conclusion
Poverty
- ‘(Having) an income which, even if adequate for survival, falls radically behind that of the community as a whole’
– J.K. Galbraith, 1962
- ‘(The) inability to attain a minimum standard of living’
– World Bank, 1990.
- ‘(The) deprivation of essential assets and opportunities to which every human being is entitled’
– Asian Development Bank, 1998.
The state of Poverty is breeding ground for corrupt practices and will, therefore, erode progress much faster than it can be achieved.
Presented by: William Reid