Extreme Poverty and Hunger

All types of poverty must be addressed to ensure the dignity of all people around the world. But combating extreme poverty is at the center of many international efforts.

Extreme poverty is defined as living on $2 a day or less. About half of the world’s total population of over 6.7 billion people live on less than $2 a day. What’s more, approximately one billion people live on less than $1 per day.

In many places $2 cannot provide basic needs– food, clean water, shelter, and health care.

Why do we think we can get rid of extreme poverty?

Because there is more than enough to go around!

Some people will say that poverty is inevitable; that the world will always have it. But even just a few hundred years ago, almost the entire world was living in poverty – now it's about half.

People have created structures and systems to provide a better way of life. Empowered with this knowledge, it is our responsibility to make sure that all people have access to these structures—decent-paying jobs, health care, clean water, free education…