Poverty, Inc.

Poverty, Inc. challenges the conventional approach to addressing poverty in developing countries through charitable aid, arguing that a more sustainable solution lies in promoting entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency.

Directed by Michael Matheson Miller, the film features interviews with more than 200 people from 20 countries. It contends that while the donation of food and clothing can be an appropriate response in times of crisis, it is not a viable long-term solution. According to the documentary, ongoing charitable aid from developed nations can undermine local economies by fostering dependence and weakening domestic markets.

The film ultimately argues that poverty is better addressed by equipping people with skills and opportunities to support themselves, rather than by relying on external assistance. It raises a critical question about who truly benefits from the charity-based model of “fixing” poverty: those living in poverty, or the countries and institutions providing the aid.