In 2025, nearly 11.7 percent of the world population in extreme poverty, with the poverty threshold at 2.15 U.S. dollars a day, lived in Nigeria. Moreover, the Democratic Republic of the Congo accounted for around 11.7 percent of the global population in extreme poverty. Other African nations with a large poor population were Tanzania, Mozambique, and Madagascar. Poverty levels remain high despite the forecast decline Poverty is a widespread issue across Africa. Around 429 million people on the continent were living below the extreme poverty line of 2.15 U.S. dollars a day in 2024. Since the continent had approximately 1.4 billion inhabitants, roughly a third of Africa’s population was in extreme poverty that year. Mozambique, Malawi, Central African Republic, and Niger had Africa’s highest extreme poverty rates based on the 2.15 U.S. dollars per day extreme poverty indicator (updated from 1.90 U.S. dollars in September 2022). Although the levels of poverty on the continent are forecast to decrease in the coming years, Africa will remain the poorest region compared to the rest of the world. Prevalence of poverty and malnutrition across Africa Multiple factors are linked to increased poverty. Regions with critical situations of employment, education, health, nutrition, war, and conflict usually have larger poor populations. Consequently, poverty tends to be more prevalent in least-developed and developing countries worldwide. For similar reasons, rural households also face higher poverty levels. In 2024, the extreme poverty rate in Africa stood at around 45 percent among the rural population, compared to seven percent in urban areas. Together with poverty, malnutrition is also widespread in Africa. Limited access to food leads to low health conditions, increasing the poverty risk. At the same time, poverty can determine inadequate nutrition. Almost 38.3 percent of the global undernourished population lived in Africa in 2022.

Out of all OECD countries, Cost Rica had the highest poverty rate as of 2022, at over 20 percent. The country with the second highest poverty rate was the United States, with 18 percent. On the other end of the scale, Czechia had the lowest poverty rate at 6.4 percent, followed by Denmark.

The significance of the OECD

The OECD, or the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, was founded in 1948 and is made up of 38 member countries. It seeks to improve the economic and social well-being of countries and their populations. The OECD looks at issues that impact people’s everyday lives and proposes policies that can help to improve the quality of life.

Poverty in the United States

In 2022, there were nearly 38 million people living below the poverty line in the U.S.. About one fourth of the Native American population lived in poverty in 2022, the most out of any ethnicity. In addition, the rate was higher among young women than young men. It is clear that poverty in the United States is a complex, multi-faceted issue that affects millions of people and is even more complex to solve.

Over the past three decades, the number of people living on less than 2.15 U.S. dollars a day in terms of 2017 Purchasing Power Parities has fallen remarkably. Whereas around two billion people lived on less than this amount a day in 1990, the number had fallen to around 711 million by 2022. Although much progress has been made and this figure is falling, this number increased slightly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, going from around 689 million in 2019 to 762 million in 2020 and 749 million by 2021.

South Asia poverty rate for 2022 was 78.80%, a 2.1% decline from 2021.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>South Asia poverty rate for 2021 was <strong>80.90%</strong>, a <strong>1% decline</strong> from 2020.</li>
<li>South Asia poverty rate for 2020 was <strong>81.90%</strong>, a <strong>1.5% increase</strong> from 2019.</li>
<li>South Asia poverty rate for 2019 was <strong>80.40%</strong>, a <strong>1.9% decline</strong> from 2018.</li>
</ul>Poverty headcount ratio at $5.50 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $5.50 a day at 2011 international prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.

Jamaica poverty rate for 2021 was 13.90%, a 4.8% increase from 2018.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Jamaica poverty rate for 2018 was <strong>9.10%</strong>, a <strong>20% decline</strong> from 2004.</li>
<li>Jamaica poverty rate for 2004 was <strong>29.10%</strong>, a <strong>4.2% decline</strong> from 2002.</li>
<li>Jamaica poverty rate for 2002 was <strong>33.30%</strong>, a <strong>2.9% increase</strong> from 1999.</li>
</ul>Poverty headcount ratio at $5.50 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $5.50 a day at 2011 international prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.

Over the past 30 years, there has been an almost constant reduction in the poverty rate worldwide. Whereas nearly 38 percent of the world's population lived on less than 2.15 U.S. dollars in terms of 2017 Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) in 1990, this had fallen to 8.7 percent in 2022. This is despite the fact that the world's population was growing over the same period. However, there was a small increase in the poverty rate during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, when thousands of people became unemployed overnight. Moreover, rising cost of living in the aftermath of the pandemic and spurred by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 meant that many people were struggling to make ends meet. Poverty is a regional problem Poverty can be measured in relative and absolute terms. Absolute poverty concerns basic human needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and clean drinking water, whereas relative poverty looks at whether people in different countries can afford a certain living standard. Most countries that have a high percentage of their population living in absolute poverty, meaning that they are poor compared to international standards, are regionally concentrated. African countries are most represented among the countries in which poverty prevails the most. In terms of numbers, Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia have the most people living in poverty worldwide. Inequality on the rise How wealth, or the lack thereof, is distributed within the global population and even within countries is very unequal. In 2022, the richest one percent of the world owned almost half of the global wealth, while the poorest 50 percent owned less than two percent in the same year. Within regions, Latin America had the most unequal distribution of wealth but this phenomenon is present in all world regions.

Argentina Poverty Line: Total Basic Basket data was reported at 356,073.460 USD in Mar 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 342,370.040 USD for Feb 2025. Argentina Poverty Line: Total Basic Basket data is updated monthly, averaging 15,716.435 USD from Apr 2016 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 108 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 356,073.460 USD in Mar 2025 and a record low of 3,663.660 USD in Apr 2016. Argentina Poverty Line: Total Basic Basket data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics and Censuses. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Argentina – Table AR.G013: Indigence and Poverty Lines: National Statistics & Census Institute.

Denmark poverty rate for 2021 was 0.30%, a 0.1% decline from 2020.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Denmark poverty rate for 2020 was <strong>0.40%</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from 2019.</li>
<li>Denmark poverty rate for 2019 was <strong>0.40%</strong>, a <strong>0.1% increase</strong> from 2018.</li>
<li>Denmark poverty rate for 2018 was <strong>0.30%</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from 2017.</li>
</ul>Poverty headcount ratio at $5.50 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $5.50 a day at 2011 international prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.

Poverty headcount ratio at $5.50 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $5.50 a day at 2011 international prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.

Bulgaria poverty rate for 2021 was 5.80%, a 1.3% increase from 2020.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Bulgaria poverty rate for 2020 was <strong>4.50%</strong>, a <strong>2.7% decline</strong> from 2019.</li>
<li>Bulgaria poverty rate for 2019 was <strong>7.20%</strong>, a <strong>0.8% decline</strong> from 2018.</li>
<li>Bulgaria poverty rate for 2018 was <strong>8.00%</strong>, a <strong>1.4% decline</strong> from 2017.</li>
</ul>Poverty headcount ratio at $5.50 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $5.50 a day at 2011 international prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.

Bolivia poverty rate for 2021 was 15.20%, a 2.1% decline from 2020.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Bolivia poverty rate for 2020 was <strong>17.30%</strong>, a <strong>1.8% increase</strong> from 2019.</li>
<li>Bolivia poverty rate for 2019 was <strong>15.50%</strong>, a <strong>3.6% decline</strong> from 2018.</li>
<li>Bolivia poverty rate for 2018 was <strong>19.10%</strong>, a <strong>1.9% decline</strong> from 2017.</li>
</ul>Poverty headcount ratio at $5.50 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $5.50 a day at 2011 international prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.

Burundi poverty rate for 2020 was 96.80%, a 0.3% increase from 2013.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Burundi poverty rate for 2013 was <strong>96.50%</strong>, a <strong>1.7% decline</strong> from 2006.</li>
<li>Burundi poverty rate for 2006 was <strong>98.20%</strong>, a <strong>0.3% increase</strong> from 1998.</li>
<li>Burundi poverty rate for 1998 was <strong>97.90%</strong>, a <strong>0.9% decline</strong> from 1992.</li>
</ul>Poverty headcount ratio at $5.50 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $5.50 a day at 2011 international prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.

Guyana poverty rate for 1998 was 56.60%, a 28.6% decline from 1992.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Guyana poverty rate for 1992 was <strong>85.20%</strong>, a <strong>85.2% increase</strong> from .</li>
<li>Guyana poverty rate for was <strong>0.00%</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from .</li>
<li>Guyana poverty rate for was <strong>0.00%</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from .</li>
</ul>Poverty headcount ratio at $5.50 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $5.50 a day at 2011 international prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.

Cambodia poverty rate for was 0.00%, a 0% increase from .

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Cambodia poverty rate for was <strong>0.00%</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from .</li>
<li>Cambodia poverty rate for was <strong>0.00%</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from .</li>
<li>Cambodia poverty rate for was <strong>0.00%</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from .</li>
</ul>Poverty headcount ratio at $5.50 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $5.50 a day at 2011 international prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.

According to the Global Hunger Index 2024, which was adopted by the International Food Policy Research Institute, Somalia was the most affected by hunger and malnutrition, with an index of 44.1. Yemen and Chad followed behind. The World Hunger Index combines three indicators: undernourishment, child underweight, and child mortality. Sub-Saharan Africa most affected The index is dominated by countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the region, more than one fifth of the population is undernourished . In terms of individuals, however, South Asia has the highest number of undernourished people. Globally, there are 735 million people that are considered undernourished or starving. A lack of food is increasing in over 20 countries worldwide. Undernourishment worldwide The term malnutrition includes both undernutrition and overnutrition. Undernutrition occurs when an individual cannot maintain normal bodily functions such as growth, recovering from disease, and both learning and physical work. Some conditions such as diarrhea, malaria, and HIV/AIDS can all have a negative impact on undernutrition. Rural and agricultural communities can be especially susceptible to hunger during certain seasons. The annual hunger gap occurs when a family’s food supply may run out before the next season’s harvest is available and can result in malnutrition. Nevertheless, the prevalence of people worldwide that are undernourished has decreased over the last decades, from 18.7 percent in 1990-92 to 9.2 percent in 2022, but it has slightly increased since the outbreak of COVID-19. According to the Global Hunger Index, the reduction of global hunger has stagnated over the past decade.

Serbia poverty rate for 2021 was 7.50%, a 2.6% decline from 2020.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Serbia poverty rate for 2020 was <strong>10.10%</strong>, a <strong>1.9% decline</strong> from 2019.</li>
<li>Serbia poverty rate for 2019 was <strong>12.00%</strong>, a <strong>5.2% decline</strong> from 2018.</li>
<li>Serbia poverty rate for 2018 was <strong>17.20%</strong>, a <strong>4.5% decline</strong> from 2017.</li>
</ul>Poverty headcount ratio at $5.50 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $5.50 a day at 2011 international prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.

In 2024, the projected poverty rate based on the national poverty line in Morocco was at 6 percent. This was a decrease from the 2023 projection, which was 5.2 percent. Poverty levels in the country fluctuated over the years under review. This is likely related to the economic issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Comparative poverty levels

In the region of Northern Africa, Morocco had the lowest projected poverty headcount ratio among the countries in 2023. However, Morocco ranked among the leading 20 countries with the highest multidimensional poverty index score worldwide. According to a survey conducted in 2019, almost 60 percent of people in Morocco believed that education was the most effective poverty reduction strategy, followed by job creation and employment.

Growing inequality in Morocco

A 2019 survey showed that the majority of people in Morocco felt that the gap between the rich and the poor was getting worse. Morocco’s Gini coefficient, a common measure of income inequality, showed that the country had a relatively high income disparity, and this was forecasted to increase in the future. Furthermore, African countries have some of the highest Gini coefficient indexes worldwide.

Key information about Russia Household Income per Capita

• Russia Annual Household Income per Capita reached 8,179.123 USD in Dec 2024, compared with the previous value of 7,549.747 USD in Dec 2023.
• Russia Annual Household Income per Capita data is updated yearly, available from Dec 1992 to Dec 2024, with an averaged value of 5,882.623 USD.
• The data reached an all-time high of 9,660.697 USD in Dec 2013 and a record low of 183.584 USD in Dec 1992.
• In the latest reports, Retail Sales of Russia grew 5.200 % YoY in Dec 2024.

CEIC calculates Annual Household Income per Capita from Monthly Average Household Income per Capita multiplied by 12 and converts it into USD. Federal State Statistics Service provides Average Household Income per Capita in local currency. The Bank of Russia average market exchange rate is used for currency conversions.

Among the OECD countries, Costa Rica had the highest share of children living in poverty, reaching 28.5 percent in 2022. Türkiye followed with a share of 22 percent of children living in poverty, while 20.5 percent of children in Spain, Chile, and the United States did the same. On the other hand, only three percent of children in Finland were living in poverty.

In 2023, 17.9 percent of Black people living in the United States were living below the poverty line, compared to 7.7 percent of white people. That year, the total poverty rate in the U.S. across all races and ethnicities was 11.1 percent. Poverty in the United States Single people in the United States making less than 12,880 U.S. dollars a year and families of four making less than 26,500 U.S. dollars a year are considered to be below the poverty line. Women and children are more likely to suffer from poverty, due to women staying home more often than men to take care of children, and women suffering from the gender wage gap. Not only are women and children more likely to be affected, racial minorities are as well due to the discrimination they face. Poverty data Despite being one of the wealthiest nations in the world, the United States had the third highest poverty rate out of all OECD countries in 2019. However, the United States' poverty rate has been fluctuating since 1990, but has been decreasing since 2014. The average median household income in the U.S. has remained somewhat consistent since 1990, but has recently increased since 2014 until a slight decrease in 2020, potentially due to the pandemic. The state that had the highest number of people living below the poverty line in 2020 was California.