Poverty Facts

Poverty Facts

Poverty is a devastating problem of global proportions. In order to be effective in fighting poverty, you need to understand the truth about it. These poverty facts will help educate you on the reality of poverty. As you better understand the facts about poverty, you will be better able to make a difference for those affected by it.

The facts about poverty can be overwhelming. It is a ruthless and relentless enemy with an arsenal of weapons. Infant mortality, hunger, disease, illiteracy, child labor … the list of obstacles those in poverty face seems endless.

These poverty facts give you a good picture of the devastating effect poverty has on its victims, especially the most vulnerable. Because of their helplessness and vulnerability, children are at even greater risk than adults of dying from poverty-related causes.

Learn the facts about poverty so that you understand the reality of the problem and how it relates to children. Then do something about it. Sponsor a child in need today and begin making a difference.

Poverty
Poverty Facts Learn the facts about poverty and how it affects children in need and their families.
  • Every day 1,500 women die from complications in pregnancy or childbirth that could have been prevented. Each day 10,000 newborns die within a month of birth, and daily the same number of babies are also born dead.
  • Children under age 18 make up nearly 48 percent of the population of the world's least developed countries, compared with 21 percent of the population of the world's industrialized nations.
  • More than 1.6 billion people lack access to electricity and modern forms of energy.
  • Over 1.4 billion people in the developing world live below the poverty line (U.S.$1.25 per day).
  • Annual world economy breaks down like this:

    1. Low Income, $935 or less: 37%
    2. Lower Middle Income, $936 to $3,705: 38%
    3. Upper Middle Income, $3,706 to $11,455: 9%
    4. High Income, $11,456 or more: 16%

  • In developing countries, approximately 130 million children and teens — age 17 or under — have lost one or both parents.
  • More than 9 million children under age 5 die each year. Two-thirds of these deaths — more than 6 million every year — are preventable.
  • Approximately one-third of the world's poor people live in India.

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