The Finnish Poverty Week is observed in November (10.-16.11.2025). The number of people experiencing poverty and social exclusion is increasing also in Finland: social security is being cut, unemployment is increasing, the number of homeless people is rising. Here are five books that explore poverty from different perspectives. For more books and articles worth reading, see library reading recommendations on poverty.
 Acemoglu, D., Robinson, J. A., & Dell, M. (2012). Why nations fail: The origins of power, prosperity, and poverty. Crown Business.
The authors explain that the big differences in wealth between countries come from the kinds of institutions that run them. “Inclusive” institutions let many people take part in the economy and politics and protect their property and rights. In contrast, “extractive” institutions give power to a small group of people and limit chances for others. Using examples from history, the authors show that countries with inclusive institutions usually grow and prosper, while those with extractive ones often stay poor or decline. |
 Ayoo, C. (2024). Unemployment – nature, challenges and policy responses. IntechOpen.
This book looks at the problem of unemployment: what causes it, how it is measured, and what countries are doing to reduce it. It explains different ideas about unemployment and points out that measuring it correctly is important for creating good policies. The book uses real examples and data to show what works and what doesn’t. It also talks about groups often left out of discussions, like people with disabilities, and how they can be a valuable part of the workforce. In addition, it explores how globalization and new technology affect jobs. |
 Fernandez, E., Canali, C., Vecchiato, T., & Zeira, A. (2015). Theoretical and empirical insights into child and family poverty. Springer.
This book explores child and family poverty by looking at its causes, effects, and the policies used to reduce it. It includes examples from different countries to show how poverty affects families in various ways. The first part explains what poverty means and how it can be measured. The second part looks at how poverty impacts children and families in different regions. The final part discusses programs and policies designed to help, showing how they work and how their success can be measured. |
 Gibbs, L. (2021). How ten global cities take on homelessness. University of California Press.
This book looks at the major problem of homelessness in cities around the world. Four experts study ten cities, including Los Angeles, New York, Paris, and Mexico City, to see how each deals with homelessness. They share ideas, successes, and challenges from government, nonprofit, and academic viewpoints. The book explains what causes homelessness and shows how cities are using new and coordinated approaches to try to solve it. |
 De Schutter, O., Frazer, H., Guio, A., & Marlier, E. (2023). Escape from poverty. Policy Press.
This book explores why poverty continues from one generation to the next and how it can be stopped. It uses research from many fields, including economics, psychology, and community development, as well as real experiences of people living in poverty. The authors challenge common myths about poverty and argue for fair opportunities for everyone. They emphasize that helping children early is key to breaking the cycle of poverty and creating a more equal society. |
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