Global Scans · Poverty · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Due to a deteriorating global economic outlook, more than 130 out of 189 countries will experience reduced income growth, with the average global GDP growth rate falling from 4.1 percent to 3.1 percent between 2011 and 2030. Almost all of the countries with large numbers remaining in extreme poverty in 2030 will be in sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia.

• [New] A manufacturing-led pathway could add US$ 168 billion in output, create 35 million more jobs, and lift 19.1 million people out of poverty by 2043. ISS Africa
• [New] Full AfCFTA implementation could increase Africa's economy by US$ 650 billion by 2043 and lift 32 million people out of extreme poverty. ISS Africa
• [New] In 2026, as income inequality widens and housing instability rises, the need for high-opportunity neighborhoods, where every child has a fair shot at a brighter future, has never been more urgent. Purpose Built Communities
• [New] Haiti's deepening gang violence has forced the withdrawal of critical humanitarian services, underscoring the regional humanitarian and security spillover risks. RileySENTINEL
• [New] An estimated 33.7 million people will need humanitarian aid in 2026. / Sudan World Health Organization: WHO
• [New] 239 million people will require urgent humanitarian assistance (as compared to about 1100 million, or 1.1 billion, affected by acute multi-dimensional poverty). Countercurrents
• [New] In many parts of Mexico, particularly rural areas, economic opportunities are limited, and poverty is widespread. S.Univ-dschang
• [New] Bangladesh now stands at a decisive economic moment, grappling with fragile recovery, rising poverty risks, and growing pressure to redefine the future of work. SANEM
• [New] A new trend report outlines six forces that will reshape Canadian retail in 2026, from nationalism and AI disruption to health, inequality, and tech power. RETAIL INSIDER
• [New] Unless poorer nations invest aggressively in education, local AI ecosystems, and regional cooperation, the AI revolution risks locking global inequality into code, making it harder than ever to escape. INDIA VIRAL HUB
• [New] The case for regeneration is compelling: in a world facing unprecedented crises - climate change, biodiversity loss, social inequality, and health pandemics - only a response that is equally systemic and holistic will suffice. EMEA
• [New] Inequality is once again identified as the most interconnected global risk over the next decade, fuelling other global risks as the social contract between citizens and government falters under pressure. Insurance-Canada.ca
• [New] Assam faces challenges such as climate vulnerability, inadequate infrastructure, and multidimensional poverty, which hinder inclusive growth. Netherlands for the World Bank
• [New] Global summits like the UK's Future of Aid conference may provide a new framing, but the lived reality is that humanitarian assistance will fall short in reaching the most vulnerable. ODI: Think change
• [New] If not, the U.S. risks a tepid recovery, with profits outpacing wage growth by up to fourfold - a scenario that could exacerbate inequality and dampen consumer demand. Northern Trust
• [New] Recent expansions to EI sickness benefits are expected to continue into 2026, with further refinements aimed at supporting workers facing serious health conditions. REALnorth Opportunities Fund
• [New] The broader goals will include raising GDP per capita above US$1,050 by 2029, reducing the trade deficit, and lowering poverty rates. / Liberia allAfrica.com
• [New] The rising prominence of misinformation, cyber insecurity, and inequality in global risk rankings mirrors challenges in Bangladesh, where rapid digital adoption, urbanization, and demographic change coexist with persistent inequity and governance gaps. The Daily Star
• [New] Until internet access inequality improves, the global entrepreneurship divide will continue to limit the role of AI in business operations. PrometAI
• [New] Access Inequality: Elite athletes move to cleaner environments, but grassroots athletes face severe health risks, widening gaps. / India PMF IAS
• [New] Interviewees experienced physical exhaustion from long periods of waiting, economic hardship, fear, and incidents of violence in Mexico, as well as fraud and theft, while access to institutional or humanitarian support steadily declined. Adam Isacson
• [New] AI could significantly impact nearly 40% of jobs worldwide, presenting both opportunities and risks for income growth and inequality. AdvisorAnalyst.com

Last updated: 06 February 2026