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What will it mean to end poverty?

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  • Merfeld, Joshua D.
  • Morduch, Jonathan

Abstract

How we think about development hinges in large part on how we think about poverty. The world community has embraced the goal to end global extreme poverty as a cornerstone of development policy, but we show how success will hinge on how “poverty” is understood. We argue that global poverty will not be eliminated even if the global headcount of poverty is brought to zero. This is because much poverty is experienced within the year by people who are not typically designated as “poor”. Their deprivations may be substantial, but they systematically go uncounted through the process of annualizing data. We consider poverty as experienced during the year and describe the steps needed to truly achieve the goal of ending poverty.

Suggested Citation

  • Merfeld, Joshua D. & Morduch, Jonathan, 2026. "What will it mean to end poverty?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:200:y:2026:i:c:s0305750x25003948
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2025.107308
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    References listed on IDEAS

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