Oxfam: More Than a Quarter of a Billion People Face Extreme Poverty

    Image copyright: AFP/Getty Images [via The Guardian]

    The Facts

    • On Tues., Oxfam released a report warning that over a quarter of a billion people may face "extreme poverty" this year due to COVID, rising global inequality, and a surge in food prices exacerbated by the war in Ukraine.

    • The World Bank defines extreme poverty as those living under $1.90 a day. 860M people could fall into this category by the end of 2022.


    The Spin

    Left narrative

    Global poverty is a global emergency, but sadly isn't treated as such. Developing countries all over the world are facing unimaginable poverty-catalyzed trauma. Much of the rich world has stepped up to support Ukraine, but has failed to recognize that Ukraine is just one of many countries in dire need of aid.

    Right narrative

    It's in Oxfam's best interest to perpetuate poverty, and this report should be taken with a grain of salt. This wouldn't be the first time that Oxfam has released misguided reports on economics and inequality - including faulty assertions about a wealth tax.


    Articles on this story