Fact Check: The World Bank's new international poverty line for low-income countries is set at $3 per person per day, reflecting a 40% increase from the previous threshold of $2.15.

Fact Check: "The World Bank's new international poverty line for low-income countries is set at $3 per person per day, reflecting a 40% increase from the previous threshold of $2.15."

What We Know

The World Bank has indeed revised its international poverty line (IPL) for low-income countries from $2.15 to $3.00 per person per day. This change reflects a significant increase of approximately 40% from the previous threshold, which was based on purchasing power parity (PPP) data from 2017. The new line is based on updated PPPs from 2021, which account for changes in the cost of living and consumption patterns in low-income countries (source-1, source-2).

The revision is part of the World Bank's ongoing efforts to provide a more accurate measure of extreme poverty, which is defined as living on less than $3.00 a day in this context. This update has led to an increase in the estimated number of people living in extreme poverty globally, with an additional 125 million people now classified under this category due to the revised threshold (source-1, source-3).

Analysis

The claim that the World Bank's new international poverty line is set at $3 per person per day and reflects a 40% increase from the previous threshold is accurate. The World Bank's official communications confirm this adjustment, stating that the IPL has been raised from $2.15 to $3.00, which is a direct increase of 40% (source-2, source-3).

The sources used for this fact-check are credible, as they come directly from the World Bank and official government publications. The World Bank is a leading international financial institution that provides data and analysis on global economic issues, including poverty. Their methodology for determining the IPL has been consistent over the years, relying on comprehensive data collection and analysis from low-income countries (source-2, source-6).

While the increase in the poverty line has raised concerns about the implications for global poverty statistics, it is essential to recognize that this adjustment is based on improved data and methodologies that aim to reflect current living standards more accurately (source-3). The revision does not indicate a deterioration in living conditions but rather an adjustment to better capture the realities faced by the poorest populations.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that the World Bank's new international poverty line for low-income countries is set at $3 per person per day, reflecting a 40% increase from the previous threshold of $2.15, is accurate. The evidence from credible sources confirms this adjustment, which is part of the World Bank's efforts to provide a more accurate measure of extreme poverty based on updated economic data.

Sources

1. India's Poverty Story Transformed
2. June 2025 Update to Global Poverty Lines - World Bank Group
3. Further strengthening how we measure global poverty - World Bank Blogs
4. Latest World News & Headlines - SBS
5. The Future of Jobs Report 2025 | World Economic Forum
6. June 2025 global poverty update from the World Bank
7. Global Risks Report 2025 | World Economic Forum
8. From $1.90 to $2.15 a day: the updated International Poverty Line