What can we learn from Kerala about eradicating poverty?

By November 2025, Kerala is set to become India’s first state to entirely eradicate extreme poverty.

One of the key reasons is the state’s highly successful Extreme Poverty Eradication Project.

But the interesting thing about Kerala is that, while this specific project is fairly new, the state has been the benchmark in the country for development and social wellbeing for decades.

The South Indian state has the highest literacy rate in the country and the highest literacy rate among women in the country. Its infant mortality rate is on par with the most developed countries. It was the best state in India at managing the Covid pandemic. It has the world’s first solar-powered airport and an incredible sustainable ecotourism landscape. The list goes on. 

The question is how did they do it. What can we learn from them?

BFM speaks to Atul Chandra, a researcher at the Tricontinental Research Institute. He recently penned an article describing Kerala’s efforts in eradicating extreme poverty.

Presented and produced by: Dashran Yohan/BFM