30
China achieved what many countries have not—eradicating extreme poverty for nearly a billion people. Its coordinated strategies reshaped national welfare.
The U.S., meanwhile, faces rising extreme poverty. Over 4 million Americans live with almost nothing, despite unprecedented national wealth.
American prosperity continues to accumulate at the top. Productivity rises, but wages and opportunities for the bottom and middle remain stagnant.
Income data reveals staggering disparities. The poorest Americans earn a share of national income that mirrors developing nations.
Government decisions—including deep cuts to Medicaid, food assistance, and public benefits—have made life harder for low-income households. Inequality is embedded in policy.