What would reduce the poverty rate?

[mileslunn]

I actually think GAI is best way to reduce it as it gives the poor money so you can cut a lot of the bureaucracy and duplication for social assistance.  Also any money you give the poor, they will spend it in the economy which helps grow the economy overall creating a multiplier effect thus more jobs and more tax revenue.

[mileslunn]

Depends a lot on country.  In many developing countries, universal education, better infrastructure, cleaner water and also less corruption (in developing countries a lot is wasted on corruption) as well as better tax collection (in most countries, you have a cash economy so tax gap quite large meaning government doesn't get revenue it needs).

However, turning to my country Canada, it is a bit different.  We don't have the extreme poverty like you see in developing world where people live on less than $2 a day, lack basic sanitation, live in crowded slums, but we still have our faire share of poverty.  Even within country there are many causes so below is a few solutions

-  For housing, improve supply and move to density.  In particular with more people working remotely; convert as many former offices as possible into apartments and condos as working remotely for many companies will likely become new norm so won't need as many offices.

-  Try to diversify economy so you have jobs in other less costly places, not just in the largest most expensive cities

-  Allow First Nations to get a stake in all projects on their land.  Many Indian reserves are like third world countries so this could help lift poverty.

- Work closely with First Nations community and share best case solutions.

-  Decriminalize all drugs and treat addiction as a mental health issue not a criminal one.  Incarcerating drug addicts just makes things worse.

-  As finances permit, raise basic minimum to $30,000 so no one making below that pays income taxes.  To fund this, phase out the basic minimum as income rises so higher income earners pay taxes on entire income, no exemption on first 15K.  Use a tax bubble like UK or standard deduction like US (but only available to those below certain income).  This would not mean hiking top rates so would not hurt tax competitiveness.

-  Put more resources into mental health

-  Have strong community programs in high crime areas.  Getting a criminal record can be a life sentence of poverty as tough to get a good job with one so best to act early so people don't end up a prison.  Community based programs help those in high risk neighborhoods find life outside of crime and thus can lead more productive lives.

-  Increase high skilled immigration while reduce low skilled so less downward pressure on wages.

-  Limit free trade to countries with comparable standards of living or that at least have comparable environmental and labor standards, not ones like China they cheat and try to undercut things.  Trade agreements should be about improving standard of living for all partners, not race to bottom.  USMCA and CETA are good examples of ones that achieve that as well as TPP.