Can Extreme Poverty Be Eradicated?

The Indonesian government is actively working towards eradicating extreme poverty by 2026. The approach has shifted from social assistance to social empowerment, aiming to help impoverished communities overcome barriers and achieve sustainable independence. Muhaimin Iskandar, Minister for Human Development Coordination, emphasized the need for cooperation across all societal levels and international collaboration to reach the Sustainable Development Goals. As of March 2025, extreme poverty in Indonesia was recorded at only 0.85% of the population. While these figures show promising strides in poverty alleviation, events such as the tragedy in Ngada, where poverty drove a child to suicide, highlight the urgent necessity for governmental actions and measures.