The world is facing an ambitious ta

The world is facing an ambitious target: to end extreme poverty by 2030. This vision is central to the work of the World Bank Group and UNICEF, and the entire international community. Now urgent action is needed to achieve it.
Data will play a crucial role. The World Bank Group has just released its first annual report that focuses specifically on global progress to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. It found that progress has been impressive, with nearly 1.1 billion people escaping extreme poverty since 1990. However, far too many people still live on far too little - some 767 million people were living in extreme poverty, on less than $1.90 per day, in 2013.
To change this, we need more and better information about who is affected, and deliberate policy action. Without accurate statistics and careful analysis, we cannot gauge the extent of the problem, know how or where to accelerate efforts, or measure the success of efforts to end extreme poverty.
Children growing up in extreme poverty require special attention. They are profoundly affected by poverty in different ways than adults and are almost certain to miss out on a good start in life. The consequences of inadequate nutrition, a lack of early stimulation and learning, and exposure to stress last a lifetime. They lead to stunted development, low levels of skills needed for life and work, limited future productivity as adults, and transmission of poverty down the generations. Beyond this tragic impact on human life and potential, neglecting children fails to build the human capital needed for sustained economic prosperity in today’s world.
Understanding the problem better is a vital step towards tackling it successfully. Accordingly, researchers from the World Bank Group and UNICEF have joined forces to undertake a first-of-its kind study of how many children are living in extremely poor households and where exactly they are located. Alongside indicators on access to education, health and sanitation, this information will be useful for governments and all partners working to improve the lives of some of the poorest children and families on the planet.