Did India just end poverty in Kerala? episode artwork

EPISODE · Dec 3, 2025 · 8 MIN

Did India just end poverty in Kerala?

from What in the World · host BBC World Service

Kerala claims to be the first state in India to have ended extreme poverty. Over the past four years, various government departments have worked together to provide around 64,000 families living in extreme poverty with food, shelter, medical care and scholarships for their children. But what is extreme poverty and why are some people questioning this claim? The BBC’s Shruti Menon, who is from Kerala, explains all. She also chats us through how extreme poverty rates across India have plummeted in the past decade. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbert Producers: Mora Morrison and Natalia Makohon Editor: Verity Wilde

Kerala claims to be the first state in India to have ended extreme poverty. Over the past four years, various government departments have worked together to provide around 64,000 families living in extreme poverty with food, shelter, medical care and scholarships for their children. But what is extreme poverty and why are some people questioning this claim? The BBC’s Shruti Menon, who is from Kerala, explains all. She also chats us through how extreme poverty rates across India have plummeted in the past decade. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbert Producers: Mora Morrison and Natalia Makohon Editor: Verity Wilde

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Did India just end poverty in Kerala?

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This episode was published on December 3, 2025.

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Kerala claims to be the first state in India to have ended extreme poverty. Over the past four years, various government departments have worked together to provide around 64,000 families living in extreme poverty with food, shelter, medical care...

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