Rural development research
id21 is the free development research reporting service bringing you UK-sourced research on developing countries

Deprivation, discrimination and poverty
Poverty can be caused by individual circumstances but certain group characteristics can also have a bearing. In particular, characteristics that cause people to be discriminated against - such as a physical disability or belonging to a particular people group - can mean they are denied opportunities. The relationships between discrimination and poverty need to be understood and addressed.

Addressing deprivation among disadvantaged groups in rural India
India's economy has grown rapidly in recent years but some of the country's most disadvantaged groups remain very poor. Why do the scheduled castes (SCs) and scheduled tribes (STs) experience greater poverty and deprivation than other groups in rural India?

Disability lowers living standards and happiness in rural Ethiopia
People in poor countries are often more vulnerable to becoming disabled than those in rich countries. They can also find it more difficult to adapt to living with a disability. In rural Ethiopia, how does disability affect people's wealth and happiness?

The livelihoods of 'adivasi' women in south India
In Kerela, India, the state leads some notable development initiatives. But the many dimensions of deprivation within indigenous communities are under-researched, particularly in relation to women. More responsive measures can only developed through a better understanding of poverty. This is particularly the case for the historically neglected 'adivasi' (meaning 'original inhabitants').

Understanding severe and persistent poverty in rural Bangladesh
Bangladesh made important advances in poverty reduction during the 1990s. In the same decade, however, inequality rose and many of the country's poorest people stayed trapped in poverty. In rural areas, what factors contribute to severe and persistent poverty?

Helping ultra-poor people sustainably move out of poverty in Bangladesh
The poorest people are often caught in a poverty trap from which it is difficult to escape, even with the help of existing development programmes, including microfinance. A recent initiative in Bangladesh suggests it is possible to create grant-based approaches to suit extremely poor households

Previous themes from id21 rural development

Revisiting the potential of the Internet

What works for water supply?

Revisiting livelihoods approaches

Does tenure security reduce poverty?