Five Strategies to Reduce Territorial Gaps and Combat Poverty in Colombia

I recently visited the city of Tumaco, a region of Colombia that continues to face high levels of poverty. I witnessed the determination and resilience of its people and local authorities, all working toward a better quality of life for its residents. Yet, Tumaco still faces challenges that have already been overcome in other parts of the country, and the path ahead remains long to ensure greater and better opportunities for its population.

Territorial disparities in Colombia have been measured and documented across many dimensions, revealing deeply unequal access to opportunities throughout the country. Our recent Poverty and Equity report, Trajectories, shows how access to quality education, healthcare, and decent employment varies significantly across regions-resulting in vastly different poverty rates in Bogotá, Chocó, and Cesar. Similarly, our upcoming report Regional Disparities and the Path to Integration highlights stark differences in productive realities and economic integration, with many areas remaining disconnected and economically lagging. These diverse realities coexist within the same country.

To create better jobs, Colombia must promote faster and more inclusive economic growth. Fully harnessing the country's rich diversity and potential is essential. The scale of territorial gaps-and disparities among population groups such as Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities-is unacceptable. Addressing these inequalities requires policies that break with historical persistence and guide the country toward shared prosperity. Colombia stands at a crossroads.

At the World Bank, we propose five policy areas that can help generate quality employment and foster economic development across the territory, ultimately reducing poverty and inequality. Investing in these areas simultaneously and with a territorial focus would amplify the impact of these efforts:

First, we must invest in equipping people-regardless of where they live-with access to quality education and healthcare, public services, and productive assets such as financial capital. This could include, for example, a national policy for educational materials in core learning areas, and prioritizing rural, remote, and peri-urban zones for primary healthcare services.

Second, through targeted infrastructure investment, we must ensure physical and digital connectivity in poorer and more remote areas, while also strengthening links between major economic centers and external markets. Today, more than 20 percent of Colombian municipalities suffer from limited access to economic hubs that could offer greater employment and services.

Third, we must strengthen subnational institutions and their coordination with national entities, including their technical, fiscal, and management capacities. This could involve investing in municipal capacity to collect local revenues and manage resources effectively.

Fourth, we must reinforce the national and subnational fiscal frameworks to sustainably promote fiscal equity, enable necessary public investments, and ensure efficient and targeted social spending. This includes reducing rigidities in public expenditure to meet both fiscal goals and development objectives-without relying solely on cuts to public investment.

Fifth, we must build stronger partnerships with the private sector and other actors to mobilize capital and scale up policies aimed at sustainably reducing poverty across the territory. In La Guajira, joint efforts between private companies, government, and local communities are helping meet basic needs in food security, water supply, and energy solutions.

On the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, observed on October 17, let us remember that Colombia has successful experiences in closing gaps and fighting poverty. Learning from these and scaling them up is a step forward in expanding opportunities for all, promoting social mobility, and driving economic growth.

*Peter Siegenthaler is the Country Manager for Colombia at the World Bank.