The Myth of the Poverty Trap

In 1981, an estimated 44 percent of the global population lived in extreme poverty. In 2019, that number shrank to just 9 percent. We often think of poverty as a trap, but recent research shows it doesn’t have to be. The economist and co-founder of GiveDirectly, Paul Niehaus, explains how extreme poverty fell over the past 40 years and how it could be eliminated for good.  Further reading:  “How Poverty Fell,” by Vincent Armentano, Paul Niehaus, and Tom Vogl  “How Progressives Froze the American Dream,” by Yoni Appelbaum One Illness Away: Why People Become Poor and How They Escape Poverty, by Anirudh Krishna Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/podsub. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices