The Impact of Population Growth on Poverty in Southeast Asian Countries (1393-1403)

Abstract

Poverty is one of the most significant development challenges in Southeast Asian countries, deeply intertwined with social, economic, and human structures. This phenomenon not only reflects income inequality and weaknesses in social support systems but also constitutes a serious barrier to sustainable growth and social justice. The present study aims to examine the impact of population growth on poverty in Southeast Asian countries during the period 1393–1403. The research employs the Generalized Least Squares (GLS) method, using panel data regression models to analyze the relationships among variables. The data were extracted from international statistical sources and analyzed using EViews software. The results indicate that the health variable, with a coefficient of −1.571792 and a significance level of 0.0190, has a negative and significant effect on poverty, implying that improvements in health indicators and equitable access to healthcare services contribute to poverty reduction. Additionally, the education variable, with a coefficient of −0.287840 and a significance level of 0.0740, exhibits a negative and moderately significant effect, highlighting the role of educational investment in poverty alleviation. In contrast, population growth, with a coefficient of 0.991023 and a significance level of 0.0239, has a positive and significant effect on poverty, indicating that an increasing population exerts pressure on economic resources and exacerbates inequality. The findings suggest that coordinated health, education, and population policies can play an effective role in reducing poverty and enhancing welfare in Southeast Asian countries.