The History of Extreme Poverty

In 1820, 8 in 10 people worldwide lived on less than $1.90* a day, an extremely low poverty line. 200 years later, it had dropped to 1 in 10 people.

How do we know how many people were in poverty 200 years ago? Where do these numbers come from?

Learn the answers in our article "How do we know the history of extreme poverty?" 

*This is measured in international-$ at 2011 prices, which means it's adjusted for inflation and differences in the cost of living between countries. It's the equivalent of what $1.90 could buy in the US in 2011.