Poverty and Shared Prosperity 2020: Reversals of Fortune - Overview

Jul 19, 2026

Overview booklet presenting the World Bank Group’s analysis of how COVID-19, conflict, and climate change reversed progress in poverty reduction. It summarizes key findings, data updates, and economic simulations from Poverty and Shared Prosperity 2020: Reversals of Fortune, including estimates that tens of millions may return to extreme poverty in 2020 and further increases in 2021. The overview also examines how shocks reshape the global poor’s profile and outlines implications for returning poverty reduction to its long-term track.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages35

Reading Time1 h 28 min

Foreword

Acknowledgments

About the Team

Overview

Poverty reduction was slowing before the crisis

Shared prosperity was positive for the period 2012–17, but gains were uneven and slowing

COVID-19, conflict, and climate change have reversed the gains in poverty eradication for the first time in a generation

COVID-19, conflict, and climate impacts will change the profile of the global poor

Conclusion: Tackling the crisis while looking to the long term

Notes

References

Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized REVERSALS OF FORTUNE Overview REFE RSALRTOFNE This booklet contains the overview from Poverty and Shared Prosperity 2020: Reversals of Fortune, doi: 10.1596/978-1-4648-1602-4. A PDF of the full report is available at [https://openknowledge](https://openknowledge).[worldbank.org/ and](worldbank.org/ and) [http://documents.worldbank.org/](http://documents.worldbank.org/), and print copies can be ordered, when available, [at www.amazon.com. Please use the final version of the report for citation](at www.amazon.com. Please use the final version of the report for citation), reproduction, and adaptation purposes. © 2020 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street NW, Washington DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000; [Internet: www.worldbank.org](Internet: www.worldbank.org)[ ](Internet: www.worldbank.org)Some rights reserved This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank with external contributions. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of The World Bank, its Board of Executive Directors, or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. Nothing herein shall constitute or be considered to be a limitation upon or waiver of the privileges and immunities of The World Bank, all of which are specifically reserved. Rights and Permissions This work is available under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 IGO license (CC BY 3.0 IGO) [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo. Under](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo. Under) the Creative Commons Attribution license, you are free to copy, distribute, transmit, and adapt this work, including for commercial purposes, under the following conditions: Attribution—Please cite the work as follows: World Bank. 2020.“Poverty and Shared Prosperity 2020: Reversals of Fortune.” Overview booklet. Washington, DC: World Bank. License: Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 3.0 IGO Translations—If you create a translation of this work, please add the following disclaimer along with the attribution: This translation was not created by The World Bank and should not be considered an official World Bank translation. The World Bank shall not be liable for any content or error in this translation. Adaptations—If you create an adaptation of this work, please add the following disclaimer along with the attribution: This is an adaptation of an original work by The World Bank. Views and opinions expressed in the adaptation are the sole responsibility of the author or authors of the adaptation and are not endorsed by The World Bank. Third-party content—The World Bank does not necessarily own each component of the content contained within the work. The World Bank therefore does not warrant that the use of any third-party-owned individual component or part contained in the work will not infringe on the rights of those third parties. The risk of claims resulting from such infringement rests solely with you. If you wish to re-use a component ofthe work, it is your responsibility to determine whether permission is needed for that re-use and to obtain permission from the copyright owner. Examples of components can include, but are not limited to, tables, figures, or images. All queries on rights and licenses should be addressed to World Bank Publications, The World Bank Group, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA; [e-mail: pubrights@worldbank.org](e-mail: pubrights@worldbank.org). Cover design: Patricia Hord.Graphik Design Contents Fore

FAQs

What causes the reversal in poverty reduction described in the overview?

The overview links the reversal to the combined effects of COVID-19, conflict, and climate change, which reversed prior gains in poverty eradication for the first time in a generation.

What does the report estimate about people returning to extreme poverty?

It projects that in 2020 between 88 million and 115 million people could fall back into extreme poverty due to the pandemic, with an additional increase of 23 million to 35 million in 2021.

How does the crisis affect inequality and the profile of the global poor?

The overview notes early evidence that the crisis may increase inequality in much of the world and that COVID-19, conflict, and climate impacts will change the profile of the global poor.

Jul 19, 2026

Upload by Genevieve