30 Cities With the Biggest Panhandling Problem
30 Cities With the Biggest Panhandling Problem. The term “panhandling” was originally coined in Virginia in the 1880s. This act of begging is rumored to have gotten its name due to the outstretched arms of the beggars resembled the handles of pans. Before this term, there was no distinction between panhandlers and beggars, which is part of the reason that most of the world solely uses the term “beggars.”
Unemployment and poverty can be found all across the globe, and some people see panhandling as a last resort in an effort to scrounge up enough money for themselves—and sometimes their families—to live off of. And there are several advocates who campaign against ordinances that ban panhandling, saying that the ordinances are violating the constitutional rights of the individuals who partake in it.
Unfortunately, some people have been known to take advantage of the kind-hearted individuals who give money to panhandlers. In some countries, beggars will seek out those who look like tourists in an effort to take advantage of their potential unfamiliarity with beggars. These unsavory individuals have made donators around the world more cautious about what to give to people seen begging, and in several cases, discourages people from giving anything at all.
In addition to the not-necessarily truthful participants, there are some who can take things a bit too far. There have been several instances of beggars threatening people in an effort to get money from them.
With all of that in mind, here are 30 cities across the globe with the biggest panhandling problems.
Vancouver, BC
If you have ever walked on the sidewalks of downtown Vancouver you’ve probably seen or been approached by a panhandler. One of the laws put in place to prevent this is that you can not solicit within a certain proximity of bank machines, payphones, or public restrooms.
Montreal, QC
There are not as many laws on begging in Montreal, so more people are known to do it. There are several interviews with news channels where panhandlers talk about the strategies they have employed to make sure they get enough to live off of.
Toronto, ON
In Toronto panhandling is just seen as a “fact of life” in Ontario. Panhandlers are forced to inhabit public spaces, so there is no way to avoid them in this providence.
London, England
In 2017 there was a 15% increase in the number of “rough sleepers.” While the rest of England recorded a 14% rise, with the largest regional increase in all of the north-west (39%)
Mumbai, India
Mumbai is home to the world’s largest slum, “Dharavi.” The slum population is more than that of Britain.
São Paulo, Brazil
This capital city in Brazil is known for its strong presence in commerce, finance, arts, entertainment, and income inequality. Because Sãn Paulo is one of the wealthiest states in Brazil, the income inequality can be seen much clearer than in your average city.
Luang Prabang, Laos
As in any tourist-heavy are beggars are prevalent. Travelers are warned to keep an eye out for (and avoid) anything that may look like a scam.
Cape Town, South Africa
Several business owners in Cape Town interviewed by news24 have expressed their concern about the issue of beggars getting out of hand. They said, “They are bothering my customers and driving away business.”
New Delhi, India
The large difference in wage distribution in India means that the homeless population is much more prevalent in larger cities. With a high homeless population comes an increase in the number of beggars.
Kabul, Afghanistan
Afghanistan has one of the largest unemployment rates in the world (23.9% in a 2017 study). Kabul, the capital, is known for its large number of child beggars.
Tirana, Albania
Tirana is the capital of Albania and is well-known for Skanderbeg Square and the largest museum for Albanian history. Since tourism is so prevalent in this capital city it is prime real estate for beggars to try and hit up bright-eyed tourists.
Pristina, Kosovo
With increased deportation in Kosovo, more and more children are being separated from their parents and being forced to fend for themselves on the streets.
Damascus, Syria
Child beggars are becoming more and more of a familiar sight on the streets of Damascus. A 2017 study finds that Syria has the largest unemployment rate in the world at 50%.
Dakar, Senegal
Dakar is known for its rich history, beautiful beaches, and a surprising number of child beggars. Child begging is one of the main forms of trafficking in Senegal and is oftentimes the only option for some of these children.
Djibouti, Djibouti
This French and Arabic-speaking country is home to the saltiest bodies of water in the world. The recent migration serge has left the stranded children with no hope trying to make money any way they can on the streets.
Lusaka, Zambia
The growing number of child beggars has caused major concern for the residents of Lusaka. There has recently been a crackdown on the parents of these child beggars.
Khartoum, Sudan
The largest city in Sudan is known for its “lavish beggars.” These beggars take advantage of the immense tourism and large number of real people in need to make more than enough money to live off of.
(Image via Wikipedia)
Athens, Greece
With an unemployment rate of 18.9%, the people of Athens have taken to the streets to get what they can from the tourists who come to appreciate this beautiful city.
N’Djamena, Chad
According to a study conducted by Unicef, “An estimated 53% of children between the ages of five and 14 are working in the country, and only around 40 percent attend school” the rest of these children have no other choice but to do what they can in begging in an effort to help support their families
(Image via Wikipedia)
Paris, France
Where there are tourists there will be beggars. Beggars are notorious in Paris. It is often thought that they specifically go to tourist-dense areas in an effort to take advantage of tourists who may not come from cities where panhandling is prevalent.
Zürich, Switzerland
Despite a recent tightening on regulations regarding beggars, they’re still a common sight in this mountainous tourist city in Switzerland.
Sana’a, Yemen
Sana’a is the capital of Yemen and is the home to several historic sites. With an unemployment rate of 35% (that continues to grow), the rate of beggars on the street has increased significantly.
Pasadena, CA
According to several forums about panhandling, panhandlers in California are known to belittle you if you do not give them money. Even with bans on camping, there are not enough shelters or volunteers to take in everyone on the streets.
Portland, OR
Since May of 2017, the rate of panhandling in Portland has gone down significantly due to an ordinance that pays panhandlers to clean up the city was passed. The ordinance was passed in May of 2018 and 310 bags of trash have already been collected.
Dayton, OH
Police officers have made 700 arrests in the city of Dayton since passing ordinances against panhandling in 2015.
St. Louis, MO
In St. Louis, there have been several investigations launched by police that prove panhandlers oftentimes use donations to buy drugs and alcohol. Several homeless shelters in the area are reaching out to handlers in an effort to help get them off the streets.
Pittsburgh, PA
The city of Pittsburg recently passed an ordinance in 2014 banning panhandling within 25 feet of any automated parking meter. They also have ordinances prohibiting handling near a street vendor and asking for money near churches.
Seattle, WA
The issue of homeless people in Seattle has reached crisis levels since some of them can occasionally become aggressive—especially in areas around University District. It’s suggested to dress and act like a local if you do not want to be harassed.
Albuquerque, NM
The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico filed a lawsuit over an Albuquerque panhandling ordinance that went into effect last month. The ordinance prohibits panhandlers from soliciting motorists at medians and sidewalks, yet several people continue to handle at intersections around the city.
Manhattan, NY
One Manhattanite told the New York Times, “I feel like this is becoming beggar city.”
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