Global Poverty Trends: New Data Shows Decline in Most Regions but Persistent Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa
A new Aggregate Poverty Data Dashboard from the World Bank’s Poverty and Inequality Platform (September 2025) reveals major regional shifts in global poverty reduction over the past four decades. The data, analyzed using the 2021 purchasing power parity (PPP) threshold of $3.00 per day, provides a comprehensive look at both the poverty rate and the number of poor across different regions.
Sharp Global Decline in Poverty Since the 1980s
The global poverty rate has fallen dramatically since 1981, reflecting sustained economic growth and social development in several regions. The East Asia and Pacific region witnessed the most striking improvement, with poverty levels plunging from over 80% in the early 1980s to near-zero levels by 2025. This reduction is largely attributed to China’s rapid economic transformation, industrialization, and inclusive growth policies.
Similarly, South Asia has seen substantial poverty alleviation since the 1990s, although the rate of decline slowed after 2020. The data suggests a significant drop in both the poverty rate and the absolute number of poor people, reflecting India’s expanding digital economy, rural employment programs, and social welfare schemes.
Sub-Saharan Africa Remains the Epicenter of Global Poverty
While most regions have made progress, Sub-Saharan Africa continues to face severe poverty challenges. The region’s poverty rate remains above 40%, and the number of poor people has actually increased since the early 2000s, surpassing other regions in both proportion and absolute figures. Population growth, political instability, limited access to education, and climate-related disruptions are key factors driving this persistent challenge.
Moderate Progress in Other Regions
In Latin America and the Caribbean, poverty levels decreased significantly between 1990 and 2015 due to social assistance programs and strong commodity-driven growth. However, recent years show stagnation, possibly linked to economic slowdowns and post-pandemic recovery pressures.
Europe and Central Asia maintain some of the lowest poverty rates globally, demonstrating the success of social safety nets and strong institutional systems. The Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan region shows mixed results—some countries have made progress, but conflict and displacement have limited overall improvement.
Number of Poor: A Shift in Global Distribution
The number of poor people worldwide has declined sharply from the 1980s to 2025. East Asia and Pacific, once home to the majority of the world’s poor, has seen a near-complete reversal. Conversely, Sub-Saharan Africa now accounts for the largest share of the global poor population, reflecting a shift in the global poverty map.
Data Cautions and Methodology
The dashboard notes that solid lines represent regions with over 50% data coverage for each year, while dashed lines indicate less than 50% coverage, warranting cautious interpretation. The data uses regional averages weighted by population size, allowing for comparison over time.
Conclusion: Uneven Progress Calls for Targeted Global Action
The new poverty data underscores remarkable progress in eradicating extreme poverty but also reveals deep regional inequalities. While Asia has largely escaped mass poverty, Sub-Saharan Africa’s struggle continues, demanding greater international cooperation, sustainable investment, and policies tailored to local realities.
As the world approaches 2030—the target year for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal of ending extreme poverty—these findings highlight both the achievements and the urgent work still required to ensure that no region or community is left behind.
