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Where Do The Poor Live?

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  • Sumner, Andy

Abstract

This paper argues that the distribution of global poverty has changed and that most of the world’s poor no longer live in countries officially classified as low-income countries (LICs). It is estimated that the majority of the world’s poor, or up to a billion people, live in middle-income countries (MICs). This pattern is largely as a result of the recent graduation into the MIC category of a number of populous countries. The paper discusses the trends in the distribution of global poverty, and opens a wider discussion on the potential implications for aid and development cooperation.

Suggested Citation

  • Sumner, Andy, 2012. "Where Do The Poor Live?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 40(5), pages 865-877.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:40:y:2012:i:5:p:865-877
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2011.09.007
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