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Poverty

The International Poverty Line is set by the World Bank at $2.15 per day and used to track extreme poverty around the globe. Learn how World Vision partners with people and communities to reduce poverty in the world’s most vulnerable places. 

Today, 8.5 per cent of the world lives in extreme poverty—on less than $2.15 per day.

Among them are 1.4 billion children under 15 who lack any form of social protection, leaving them vulnerable to disease, poor nutrition and poverty.

Global poverty can perpetuate a cycle lasting generations, increase early marriage rates and cause psychological stress and shame.

With the right response, starting with education, the cycle of poverty can be broken.

A young girl in a blue patterned shirt, smiles. (Ghana, 2024).

One child's life is saved every week

through our intensive programs that help people rise from extreme poverty

From poverty to progress

Poverty isn’t solely defined by the lack of money to meet daily needs. It also encompasses the lack of access to essential services and opportunities, like health care, education and employment, which are necessary to flourish in life. 

Addressing global poverty requires a holistic approach, not a quick fix. Our programs aim to:

  • Increase access to, and the quality of, education
  • Develop economic self-empowerment (raising the economic well-being of individual households and/or communities)
  • Increase access to health care
  • Improve access to water, sanitation and hygiene
  • Increase child protection (for example, preventing early marriage).

We also work in conflict zones, where children have been child soldiers, forced into child marriage or physically and sexually abused.

of our $379.7 million investment helped people create sustainable livelihoods in 2025.

$232M

invested through 110 programs, reaching 4,379,957 people.

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In 2025, we provided financial and business development services to 199,315 people. We also engaged 150,878 people through savings groups.

Source: World Vision Canada 2025 Annual Results Report, pg. 32

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Consistency and commitment—the formula for lasting change. Together, through monthly donations and community-led solutions, our work spans across five sectors where impact is needed most. 

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Let's help build a world of opportunities for every child, no matter their gender, location or circumstance.

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