Share of population in poverty ($3 a day) 2018

Global Overview of Poverty at $3 a Day in 2018

The country with the highest Share of population in poverty ($3 a day) in 2018 is Niger, with a staggering rate of 59.01%. The global range of poverty levels for this metric varies from 0.00% to 59.01%, with an average of 7.58% and a median of 1.00% across 92 countries. This stark difference illustrates the significant disparities in poverty levels around the world, where a sizable portion of the population in certain countries lives on less than $3 a day.

Geographic Disparities in Poverty Rates

The geographical distribution of poverty levels reveals significant regional trends. Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa dominate the list of those with the highest poverty rates. For instance, Tanzania and Burkina Faso follow Niger closely, with rates of 51.35% and 47.68%, respectively. These high levels of poverty are often linked to a combination of factors, including limited access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. On the other hand, countries like Slovenia, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates report a 0% poverty rate at this threshold, highlighting the effectiveness of social safety nets and economic structures that support their populations.

Year-over-Year Changes in Poverty Levels

In 2018, the average change in poverty rates across the surveyed countries was a decrease of -0.24% or -2.1%. Notable increases were observed in Paraguay (+0.70%, +29.4%), Sweden (+0.59%, +223.3%), and Costa Rica (+0.57%, +32.7%). These increases may be attributed to various factors, including economic downturns or shifts in government policy that impacted social support systems. Conversely, significant decreases were reported in countries like Serbia (-2.49%, -37.5%) and Indonesia (-2.29%, -15.5%), indicating improvements in economic conditions or successful poverty alleviation programs.

Socioeconomic Drivers of Poverty

The socioeconomic context is crucial for understanding the variations in poverty levels. Countries with high poverty rates, such as Chad at 41.86% and Sierra Leone at 41.49%, often face challenges such as political instability, inadequate infrastructure, and reliance on agriculture, which can be vulnerable to climate change. In contrast, nations with lower poverty rates, like Switzerland (0.04%) and Malaysia (0.03%), benefit from diversified economies and robust social welfare systems that mitigate the impacts of poverty. Furthermore, the presence of natural resources, governance quality, and educational attainment are significant determinants of economic resilience and poverty reduction.