Fact Check: "The poverty rate in Pakistan under the new $4.20 international poverty line has increased from 39.8% to 44.7%."
What We Know
Recent reports from the World Bank indicate that Pakistan's poverty rate has indeed increased from 39.8% to 44.7% following the adjustment of the international poverty line to $4.20 per day. This change in measurement reflects a new standard for lower-middle-income countries, which includes Pakistan. The previous threshold was set at $3.65 per day. According to the World Bank, this adjustment means that approximately 107.9 million people in Pakistan are now classified as living in poverty under the new criteria (source-4).
The report also highlights that while the poverty line has been recalibrated, there has not been an immediate change in the actual living conditions of the population. The World Bank further notes that the new threshold for extreme poverty is set at $3 per person per day, with 16.5% of the population falling below this level (source-6).
Analysis
The claim that the poverty rate in Pakistan has risen from 39.8% to 44.7% is supported by multiple credible sources, including the World Bank and various news outlets reporting on the findings. The Frontier Post and The News both confirm the increase in the poverty rate due to the new threshold, providing consistency across reports.
The reliability of the World Bank as a source is high, given its status as a leading international financial institution that conducts extensive research and data collection on global poverty. However, it is important to note that the increase in the poverty rate is a result of a methodological change rather than a direct reflection of worsening economic conditions. This distinction is crucial for understanding the context of the data.
Moreover, the reports emphasize that the recalibration of the poverty line does not imply that more people are experiencing poverty in a traditional sense; rather, it reflects a change in the criteria used to define poverty. This nuance is essential for interpreting the data accurately.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that the poverty rate in Pakistan under the new $4.20 international poverty line has increased from 39.8% to 44.7% is accurate. The evidence from reliable sources, including the World Bank, supports this assertion, confirming that the increase is due to a change in the poverty measurement criteria rather than an immediate decline in living conditions.
Sources
- Latest Electricity Price Per Unit in Pakistan 2024
- Pakistan's poverty rate increased from 39.8pc to 44.7pc, WB ...
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