The Way Out of Extreme Poverty: How Kerala Transformed Lives

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first state in India to eradicate extreme poverty. According to NITI Aayog, only 0.71% of the population was classified as poor in 2021, which dropped further to 0.55% in 2023. The LDF government focused on identifying and uplifting this small minority through personalized interventions, public participation, and targeted welfare programs. The initiative was executed through structured phases, ensuring that every family in extreme poverty received the necessary support.
Key Highlights of Kerala’s Extreme Poverty Eradication Efforts:
● In 2021, the LDF government, in its first Cabinet meeting after returning to power, decided to make Kerala free from extreme poverty.
● July 2021: Identification of families in extreme poverty began. Across 1,032 local bodies, 64,006 families comprising 1,03,099 individuals were identified.
● Pilot Projects: Implemented in Thrissur’s Wadakkanchery Municipality, Thiruvananthapuram’s Anchuthengu, and Wayanad’s Thirunelli Panchayats. Following success, the program expanded to all local bodies.
● Micro-Plans: Each family’s condition, needs, and opinions were assessed to prepare personalized short-term, medium-term, and long-term micro-plans.
● April 1, 2022: The government ensured extreme poverty families no longer suffered from hunger. Food support was provided to 20,648 households previously without access to meals.
● “Avakasam Athivegam” Initiative: 21,263 families received basic documents; emergency services were extended to 29,427 cases; 85,721 individuals received medical care and medicines; health assistance was provided to 14,862 single-member families.
● October 2023: The “Ujjivanam” program under Kudumbashree Mission launched for families where income was the main challenge, serving 3,820 people. Financial aid and training were provided directly by local bodies to 272 people, through other government departments to 212 people, and via private institutions to 88 people.
● Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme: 34,672 families were issued job cards for unskilled labor.
● November 1, 2023: Kerala Piravi event marked the completion of the first phase of the project. 30,658 families (47.89%) out of 64,006 identified were lifted out of extreme poverty.
● December 4, 2024: Government prioritized land allocation for extreme poverty families. 4,677 families were allocated houses, with 4,005 houses completed.
● Land and Housing Support: 2,713 families needing both land and housing received financial assistance first for land acquisition, then for house construction.
● March 22, 2025: Revenue Department issued a circular to prioritize government-owned surplus land for extreme poverty families.
● Among the 64,006 identified families, 4,421 individuals passed away. 261 families migrated to other states and could not be reached; assistance will be provided when they return. 47 individuals were nomadic and accommodated in a single local body. In total, 4,729 people were removed from the list due to such circumstances.