In the U.S., developed yet filled with beggars, while in China, beggars are nearly extinct. What’s behind this?

When we mention developed countries, we often assume that there are no poverty or begging phenomena in these places.

However, the sight of homeless people and beggars on the streets of the United States constantly challenges this perception.

At the same time, begging in China has almost disappeared.

This change is not accidental but is the result of the vast differences caused by two completely different social systems and development models.

Although the United States has a strong economy, the huge wealth gap is a fundamental issue in its social structure.

In major cities across the United States, homeless people and beggars are everywhere, especially in large cities like New York and San Francisco.

On the streets and alleys, begging has almost become a norm.

Homeless shelters in New York's subway passages and vagrants in San Francisco’s commercial districts have even become part of the city's scenery.

The root cause behind this phenomenon lies in the economic distribution model and social vulnerabilities in the United States.

Wealth distribution in the United States is highly concentrated, with a small group of wealthy people holding most of the wealth.

In contrast, ordinary families have relatively weak economic foundations and lack sufficient resilience against risks.

When the economy faces fluctuations, such as waves of unemployment or inflation, many families' financial situations can collapse rapidly, leading them to become homeless.

In the United States, unemployment and high housing costs are major factors that exacerbate the homeless problem.

American society also faces systemic inequality, with minority groups at a disadvantage in employment competition.

Low wages and high job instability make certain groups more likely to fall into poverty.

In contrast, China has made significant achievements in poverty alleviation and social security in recent years.

The vast majority of the poor have been lifted out of poverty, and begging has significantly decreased.

The Chinese government has adopted an inclusive development strategy, helping low-income groups stabilize their livelihoods through large-scale poverty alleviation measures and skills training.

In rural areas, the government promotes employment-based poverty alleviation and industry support to help villagers increase income and become wealthier.

In urban areas, the government helps the unemployed reenter the labor market through vocational training and reemployment opportunities.

China has also established a wide and comprehensive social security system, where both urban and rural residents enjoy welfare benefits such as minimum living guarantees, urban rescue stations, and medical insurance.

This system ensures that people in economic distress will not end up on the streets due to poverty.

In large cities, the government has set up dedicated rescue stations that provide 24/7 food, shelter, and employment assistance.

Through the social welfare system, homeless people are helped in a timely manner.

Unlike the United States, China does not view homelessness and begging simply as "individual freedom."

Instead, through policy intervention, it ensures that the basic needs of the most vulnerable groups in society are met.

Although the social welfare system in the United States appears to be comprehensive, its complex application procedures and high medical costs prevent many qualifying poor groups from truly benefiting.

In this case, the management of homelessness and begging has also shown loopholes, and many poor groups ultimately end up wandering the streets without receiving effective help or resettlement.

In contrast, China’s social security system is more practical and has a higher level of accessibility, allowing the vast majority of people in distress to receive assistance from the government.

With the rapid development of China's economy, people's attitudes toward begging have also changed.

In the past, beggars could occasionally be seen on the streets, but now an increasing number of people believe that young, able-bodied adults should not choose to beg.

Instead, they should support themselves through work.

With the shift in social values, begging gradually lost its appeal, and acts of charity have significantly decreased.

As a result, many beggars have been forced to turn to formal employment or government assistance.

The vast differences between the phenomena of poverty on the streets in the United States and China are not just a reflection of the wealth gap.

They are the direct result of the differences in the two countries' systems and social policies.

While the capitalist economic system in the United States has achieved remarkable success in economic development, its uneven wealth distribution and flaws in the social welfare system have made it impossible to effectively address poverty.

In contrast, China has made significant progress in reducing poverty and addressing begging issues through inclusive development and a well-established social security system.

This difference between the two countries reflects the importance of social fairness and safety nets under different systems.