Image by Amir Jina
  • Podcast
  • 30 April 2020

Why do coronavirus-related poverty projections vary so widely?

This podcast explores why the differences in coronavirus poverty projections exist, focusing on three models that are making headlines at the moment.

Authors

Zach Christensen, Anna Hope

As the coronavirus pandemic unfolds, we are beginning to see some wildly varying projections on poverty levels. The estimates range from 22 million to half a billion people being pushed into extreme poverty as a result of the pandemic.

This podcast explores why the differences in poverty projections exist. We first look at how poverty is measured and ways in which this is often contested. We then examine three models that are making headlines at the moment, looking at the data, methods and assumptions underpinning them. Finally, we question whether we really are turning the clock back 30 years on poverty reduction as some claim and consider how the recovery might differ from country to country.

Models discussed are by The World Bank, United Nations University and IFPRI.

Listen to the podcast


This podcast features DI’s Anna Hope, Head of Communications, and Zach Christensen, Senior Analyst and resident poverty data expert. Music is by Scott Holmes.