Extreme poverty is still far from being eradicated, with 10 % of the world population being affected. A positive implication, however, is that the share of those who can afford to plan beyond tomorrow is now much larger than it historically used to be. For good reason, some development experts expect the growth of middle classes to improve opportunities further. Purchasing power, however, is not all that matters. Middle-income prosperity depends on institutions too – and that is something policymakers must take it into account.
This focus section directly relates to the UN’s first Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): No poverty. It also has a bearing on many other SDGs.
