China Lifts Millions Out of Poverty; America Turns Its Back on the Poor

China’s efforts to eradicate extreme poverty succeeded through targeted investment, infrastructure expansion, and social programs. In 1990, extreme poverty was widespread; by 2019, it no longer existed.
The U.S., meanwhile, has seen extreme poverty expand. Over 4 million Americans live on less than $3 daily, despite the country’s unprecedented wealth.
America’s productivity gains benefit only a small segment of society. Wealth grows rapidly for the top earners while wages stagnate for everyone else.
Income data reveals a stark imbalance: the poorest Americans earn a national income share similar to some of the world’s least-developed nations.
Government policies—tariff hikes, cuts to Medicaid, and reductions in nutrition support—have deepened inequality. Poverty in America is not an accident but a reflection of national priorities.