Christoph Lakner
@christophlakner.bsky.social
Economist at World Bank Data Group. Working on poverty, (global) inequality, shared prosperity and top incomes. Opinions are my own.
https://sites.google.com/site/christophlakner/
https://sites.google.com/site/christophlakner/
From a global perspective, the increase in the international poverty line approximately offsets the increase in measured consumption.
datatopics.worldbank.org/world-develo...
More details on the impacts of changes in survey methods:
blogs.worldbank.org/en/opendata/...
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datatopics.worldbank.org/world-develo...
More details on the impacts of changes in survey methods:
blogs.worldbank.org/en/opendata/...
[5/5]
Measuring Global Extreme Poverty: Has the Goalpost Shifted?
datatopics.worldbank.org
June 18, 2025 at 8:19 PM
From a global perspective, the increase in the international poverty line approximately offsets the increase in measured consumption.
datatopics.worldbank.org/world-develo...
More details on the impacts of changes in survey methods:
blogs.worldbank.org/en/opendata/...
[5/5]
datatopics.worldbank.org/world-develo...
More details on the impacts of changes in survey methods:
blogs.worldbank.org/en/opendata/...
[5/5]
It may seem that goalpost for ending extreme poverty has shifted, but from a global perspective, this interpretation is incorrect. Upward revision reflects improvements in surveys in poorer countries, leading to higher measured consumption, but not actual living standards.
[4/5]
[4/5]
June 18, 2025 at 8:19 PM
It may seem that goalpost for ending extreme poverty has shifted, but from a global perspective, this interpretation is incorrect. Upward revision reflects improvements in surveys in poorer countries, leading to higher measured consumption, but not actual living standards.
[4/5]
[4/5]
In defining new global lines, data have been updated, but methods have not changed. The extreme poverty line increases by more than pure price changes, reflecting more up-to-date & better data on how the poorest countries define poverty.
blogs.worldbank.org/en/opendata/...
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blogs.worldbank.org/en/opendata/...
[3/5]
How improved household surveys influence national and international poverty lines
Countries rely on household surveys to measure poverty, with survey design significantly impacting data quality. Improved surveys capture more consumption, including durables and imputed rent, leading...
blogs.worldbank.org
June 18, 2025 at 8:19 PM
In defining new global lines, data have been updated, but methods have not changed. The extreme poverty line increases by more than pure price changes, reflecting more up-to-date & better data on how the poorest countries define poverty.
blogs.worldbank.org/en/opendata/...
[3/5]
blogs.worldbank.org/en/opendata/...
[3/5]
New lines (in 2021 PPPs):
(1) International poverty line: $3.00 ($2.15 in 2017 PPPs)
(2) Typical of lower-middle income countries: $4.20 (prev. $3.65)
(3) Typical of upper-middle income countries: $8.30 (prev. $6.85)
blogs.worldbank.org/en/opendata/...
documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/0...
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(1) International poverty line: $3.00 ($2.15 in 2017 PPPs)
(2) Typical of lower-middle income countries: $4.20 (prev. $3.65)
(3) Typical of upper-middle income countries: $8.30 (prev. $6.85)
blogs.worldbank.org/en/opendata/...
documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/0...
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The World Bank’s new global poverty lines in 2021 prices
The World Bank revised global poverty estimates using new data on prices and national poverty lines from over 160 countries. The international poverty line increased from $2.15 to $3.00, raising the p...
blogs.worldbank.org
June 18, 2025 at 8:19 PM
New lines (in 2021 PPPs):
(1) International poverty line: $3.00 ($2.15 in 2017 PPPs)
(2) Typical of lower-middle income countries: $4.20 (prev. $3.65)
(3) Typical of upper-middle income countries: $8.30 (prev. $6.85)
blogs.worldbank.org/en/opendata/...
documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/0...
[2/5]
(1) International poverty line: $3.00 ($2.15 in 2017 PPPs)
(2) Typical of lower-middle income countries: $4.20 (prev. $3.65)
(3) Typical of upper-middle income countries: $8.30 (prev. $6.85)
blogs.worldbank.org/en/opendata/...
documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/0...
[2/5]