World Poverty Through a Broader Lens: Rethinking Measurement and Policy Approaches

Income-based poverty metrics miss much of global hardship as new measures reveal that over half the world’s population is vulnerable, with nearly 300 million living on less than US$1.50 a day. Gains in East Asia and the Pacific contrast with rising poverty in other regions, calling for united multidimensional strategies. Income-based poverty measures have failed to capture the full extent of global deprivation. New metrics show poverty is more widespread than previously believed. While income poverty declined from 1995 to 2024, over half the world’s population remains poor or vulnerable, with nearly 300 million living in destitution on less than US$1.50 a day. Progress has been uneven; East Asia and the Pacific major gains, while poverty rose in the Arab region. Accelerating reduction requires aligned efforts, inclusive income-boosting policies, stronger international cooperation and support for the poorest countries. To measure poverty, a multidimensional approach, backed by robust data, is essential.