1 Billion fewer people living in Extreme Poverty in the world just since 2000. Who (or what) is responsible for this miracle? Nice graphic here.

Here is a graph from The Economist showing the dramatic decline in the number of people in the world living on $1.25 per day (or less).  This is the formal UN definition of "Extreme Poverty". 

Focus on the span between 2000 and 2013 (guesstimate). The slope gets steep--approx 1 Billion people have climb above the $1.25 mark in 13 years.  Keep in mind, since 2000 the world population has GROWN by about 800 million as well. 

While this is good news, the drop was not evenly distributed.  China alone is responsible for about 75% of the decrease.  Of course, this is mostly due to the rapid industrialization and globalization China set in motion with more market orientated (very loose and generous definition) policies in the 80's and 90's.




Source: The Economist