Extreme poverty
Around 839 million people lived on less than $3 a day in 2024, under the World Bank's updated poverty line — increasingly concentrated in fragile and conflict-affected countries.
How this affects people
Extreme poverty fell dramatically over four decades, from 47% of humanity in 1981 to about 10% in 2024.
Progress has slowed, and the remaining poor are concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa and in countries facing conflict and climate shocks.
Look at what keeps the problem going
- 01Conflict and fragility
- 02Climate shocks to farming
- 03Debt limiting public spending
- 04Limited access to jobs, land and credit
What could happen next
The future leaves room for choices. Compare the outlooks, check what supports them and notice where the evidence becomes less certain
Slow decline, uneven
Poverty falls in most regions but rises in fragile states.
The future is not a timetable. These summaries reflect published scenarios and trends, with deeper uncertainty at longer horizons. Choices made now matter.
Where could a useful response begin?
Begin with a question you can investigate. Compare the sources and follow related briefings to see how the problem connects to other lives and places. This prototype does not accept proposals yet.
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