Global Poverty at $2.15 a Day: Rural Populations in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia Hit Hardest
Washington, D.C., 2024 — New data from the World Bank’s Poverty, Prosperity, and Planet Report 2024 underscores the stark reality of global poverty. Using the international poverty line of $2.15 per day (2017 PPP), the analysis reveals that extreme poverty remains overwhelmingly concentrated in rural areas, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
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Rural Poverty Dominates
The circular chart highlights that the vast majority of people living below the global poverty threshold are in rural communities. Sub-Saharan Africa alone accounts for the largest share, followed by South Asia. Limited access to infrastructure, education, and sustainable employment opportunities keeps rural populations disproportionately poor, despite decades of global development efforts.
In contrast, urban poverty, though significant, represents a much smaller proportion of the global total. Urban poor populations are largely concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, but the scale is far lower compared to rural regions.
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Regional Breakdown
Sub-Saharan Africa: The region remains the global epicenter of extreme poverty, both in rural and urban contexts.
South Asia: Despite major progress in reducing poverty over the past two decades, millions remain trapped in rural poverty, particularly in agricultural communities.
East Asia & Pacific: Once a major contributor to global poverty, the region now shows smaller shares, reflecting rapid economic growth and improved social programs.
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Why This Matters
The data underscores a critical development challenge: ending extreme poverty requires tackling rural deprivation head-on. Policies must prioritize investment in rural infrastructure, agricultural productivity, education, and health services. Without targeted rural strategies, global poverty eradication goals will remain out of reach.
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Conclusion
While the world has made progress in reducing poverty since the 1990s, today’s figures show that poverty is no longer evenly spread — it is heavily concentrated in specific regions and rural communities. Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia stand at the center of this challenge, making them priority zones for global action.
