Poverty headcount

Poverty – the lack of income and essential goods and services – exists everywhere, but there has been progress. Global poverty has been falling since the 1980s but still the number of people living below the benchmark World Bank international poverty line is unacceptably high.

Nor is poverty simply an expression of monetary income. Low incomes are both a cause and effect of low levels of health, education and other human development indicators. Poor people have a hard time obtaining good health care and education, while poor health and poor education leave them less able to improve their incomes.