The World Bank's recent estimates on global
poverty, particularly in relation to China, are being challenged by an
international non-governmental organisation (NGO) which monitors
poverty eradication and gender equality: the 2008 Basic Capabilities Index. By Thalif Deen.
Some 220 million people are "on the edge of emergency" in 2008,
almost twice as many as in 2006, says a report by CARE released ahead of next week's UN
summit to measure progress toward the Millennium Development Goals. By Alison Raphael.
Between 320 and 440 million people live in chronic poverty worldwide - but need
not, according to five policy measures that could help them escape the poverty trap, says
the Chronic Poverty Report 2008-2009. By Mercedes Sayagues.
Global levels of inequality threaten to halt progress toward economic development and efforts to alleviate deprivation such as the Millennium Development Goals, argues a new report.
Add an extra zero to the ranks of the millionaires club. The
number of people around the world with at least $1 million in assets
passed 10 million for the first time last year, according to a new
report. And their bank accounts are growing even faster.
Privatisation, free trade and market forces. . . the rich world
insists poor states play by our rules. But they don't work. Is it time to let
countries determine their own destinies, asks Duncan Green.
A new report defines 162 million people who live in 'ultra poverty' - less than 50 cents a day.
If all of the ultra poor were
concentrated in a single nation, it would be the world's seventh most
populous country.