About chronic poverty

The Chronic Poverty Research Centre (CPRC) is an an international partnership of universities, research institutes and NGOs in the UK and in developing countries. 

Set up in 2000 as a response to the MDG 2015 target of 'reducing poverty by half', the CPRC raised the profile of 'the other half' – those who would still be poor by 2015 despite current anti-poverty policies. DUring its existence, the CPRC has successfully provided evidence on what policymakers and civil society leaders could do to assist more people to escape poverty sustainably, through its three streams of work – research, policy analysis and policy engagement.

The CPRC is funded by the UK's Department for International Development.

Thematic research

The CPRC's thematic research has deepened the understanding of poverty dynamics and particularly of the nature, causes and remedies of chronic poverty, including what the chronically poor already do to try to escape poverty. Our focus has been on:

• conceptualisation of poverty dynamics and persistent poverty;
• empirical methods for studying poverty dynamics;
• empirical methods for studying intergenerational transmission of poverty;
• insecurity, risk and vulnerability;
• assetlessness, low returns and inequality;
• adverse incorporation and social exclusion.

 Policy analysis

Our policy analysis has assessed key policy issues and aspects of the policy environments which have a bearing on chronic poverty, and to identify effective and sustainable policies to support the chronically poor. CPRC's four policy areas focused on:

• conflict and fragile states
• gender
• growth
• social protection

 Policy engagement

CPRC policy engagement has contributed to a significant shift in policy through challenging governments, policy-makers and the public about the specific needs as well as the capabilities of chronically poor people, the neglect of their rights, and the policies and implementation strategies that can promote escape from and prevent entry into chronic poverty.