Poverty
The link between poverty and premature death and disability has been long evident, but the definition of who is poor and the global distribution of the extremely poor are changing. Today there are fewer poor and fragile states and most of poor people live in stable, middle-income nations. This section examines the ways in which ill-health and poverty are now interacting and reinforcing each other.
Poverty
$1.90
World Bank threshold per diem for extreme poverty
World Bank threshold per diem for extreme poverty
6 of 10
Extremely poor people are in middle-income nations
Extremely poor people are in middle-income nations
1.9 B
Billion people living in extreme poverty, 1990
Billion people living in extreme poverty, 1990
589 M
Number of people living in extreme poverty, 2019
Number of people living in extreme poverty, 2019
Featured
Rethinking Ways to Address Child Growth Failure
Precision health mapping of regional and local targets would help steer limited resources to the places of greatest need
A Tribute to Peter Salama, a Champion of People in Fragile States and War-Torn Places
Original director of WHO Health Emergencies Program, he fought against Ebola and for Universal Health Coverage worldwide
Universal Health Coverage—A Citizens’ Guide to Benefits
Realizing this high-level UN priority in low-income settings will demand evidence-based decisions and grass-roots action
Latest
Coronavirus in Malawi
Shutdowns reversed amid an upcoming election, other disease threats, and more than half the population living in poverty
COVID-19 Highlights the Need for Universal Health Coverage
Universal health coverage is achievable for all countries—and in the aftermath of the pandemic, it should be implemented
We Need a Pro-Poor and Pro-Black Response to COVID-19
Concentrate testing in poor Black and Latinx neighborhoods now and plan for an equitable distribution of future vaccines