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Data Starter: Global poverty (2017 data)

Elizabeth Veal

15th September 2026

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What share of the population of each country lived on less than $30 per day?

Using the OurWorldinData chart (scroll down to Global Poverty – first chart), do these data calculation questions:

  1. Assuming, the world population was approximately 7.9 billion people. The chart shows that 85% of the world's population lived on less than $30 per day. Calculate the number of people, in billions, living on less than $30 per day. Give your answer to two decimal places.
  2. The chart also shows that 77% of the world population lives in countries where more than 90% of the population lives on less than $30 per day. Calculate how many more people live on less than $30 per day than live in the countries where more than 90% are below this threshold.

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Elizabeth Veal

Liz has taught Economics for over 25 years, including several years as Head of Economics at leading schools.