Extreme poverty is the most severe state of poverty. Many cannot meet basic needs for food, water, shelter, sanitation, and health care. To determine the affected population, the World Bank defines extreme poverty as living on less than $1.25 per day (adjusted for PPP). The World Bank estimates that 1.4 billion people currently live under these conditions.
The eradication of extreme poverty and hunger was the first Millennium Development Goal, as set by 179 United Nations Member States in 2000. Economists and activists consider epidemic diseases (AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis) as crucial factors in and consequences of extreme poverty.

Extreme poverty is most common in Sub-Saharan Africa, and South Asia. The proportion of people in extreme poverty fell from 59 to 19 percent during the 20th century and is now the lowest in history.

See also

• List of countries by percentage of population living in poverty

• Income inequality metrics

• Least Developed Countries

• Make Poverty History

• Millennium Development Goals

• Poverty line

• Poverty reduction

• Absolute poverty