Poverty Occurrence Characteristics of Ancient Towns and Villages in Shanxi Province and Poverty Reduction Countermeasures

Based on the questionnaire of 10 sample ancient towns and villages in Shanxi Province, we analyze the poverty occurrence characteristics of ancient towns and villages in Shanxi Province: the poverty incidence in ancient towns and villages is high, with the slow pace of poverty reduction; the regional characteristics of poverty is prominent; there are conspicuous differences in income between residents living in old houses and residents not living in old houses; poverty reduction shows vulnerability and instability. Then we put forward countermeasures for poverty reduction of ancient towns and villages in Shanxi Province as follows: first, improving the targeting mechanism of poverty in ancient towns and villages; second, speeding up the development of agricultural industrialization in ancient towns and villages; third, advancing internal “urbanization” of ancient towns and villages and new countryside construction; fourth, strengthening infrastructure building in ancient towns and villages; fifth, providing fair and efficient allocation of resources, and reducing regional differences; sixth, promoting the ability of residents in ancient towns and villages to cope with poverty vulnerability.