Nearly two-thirds of world’s extremely poor live in 5 countriesApril 12, 2014 - 13:58 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The World Bank Group (WBG) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) continue to hold their annual spring meetings in Washington, D.C., this weekend. Thousands of government officials and NGOs are there to discuss the global economy and international development, Mashable says. Gearing up for the event, the WBG released a new report, which focuses on the progress that has been made in reducing global poverty, and what challenges remain. Using the most recent data from 2010, the report shows that nearly two-thirds of the extremely poor — that is, those who live on less than $1.25 a day — live in just five countries: India, China, Nigeria, Bangladesh and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The report also makes sure to note that there are smaller countries with very high extreme poverty rates, including Liberia, Burundi, Madagascar and Zambia. A more detailed version will be released later this year. Global poverty as a whole is in decline. In 1990, 36% of the world's population lived in extreme poverty; in 2010, that number decreased to 18%. This year, the WBG President set an interim target to reduce global poverty to 9% by 2020. Photo: kamlajetlytrust.com Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. |