Economic inequality and disaster losses: An analysis of the poverty–disaster cycle

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to reveal how the cyclical interaction between disasters, poverty, and inequality reinforces social vulnerabilities. It is particularly valuable because it examines the reciprocal relationship between disasters and poverty not only in terms of physical destruction but also through an in-depth analysis of social, economic, and institutional dimensions. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted using content analysis, one of the qualitative research methods, and is based on a comprehensive review of the literature as well as an analysis of documents concerning poverty, inequality, and disaster losses. Findings and Discussion: Assessments informed by the literature, reports of international organizations, and statistical data demonstrate that the disaster–poverty relationship exhibits a complex cyclical structure that cannot be explained through a simple cause-and-effect framework. The findings indicate that societies and countries with lower income levels are significantly more vulnerable to disasters and are disproportionately affected by physical damages such as loss of life. Factors such as social exclusion, insufficient education, environmental risks, unplanned urbanization, weak governance, and limited institutional capacity further deepen this vulnerability. The results also show that disasters are not confined to physical destruction but evolve into mechanisms that reproduce and perpetuate social inequalities. Conclusion: It is emphasized that breaking the disaster–poverty cycle requires risk reduction policies to address not only physical threats but also poverty, social injustice, and deficiencies in institutional capacity. This approach plays a critical role in achieving sustainable development goals and in reducing disaster induced losses.