One fifth of the world's population lives on US $1 per day or less. Nine of the ten poorest countries in the world are on the African continent. By population however, the largest population in the world living on $1 or less per day is in India-380.6 million people (Earthtrends.wri.org ). To make the numbers even larger, half of the world-over 3 billion people-live on US $2 per day or less! Such statistics, though true, are difficult for most Americans to understand. Only when we take the time ourselves to figure out what it costs each day to live individually, can we truly appreciate how living on so little affects people's lives. So what's your number? What do you spend each day to live on this earth? Try adding up your housing, food, transportation and utilities expenses for each month, and divide them by thirty. Don't forget insurance. How does your number compare with half the world's population? Even if you don't catch everything-clothing expenses, toiletries, etc.-your personal number will most likely amaze you.
Those who live on such small amounts of money most likely grow their own food to survive, and are accustomed to walking long distances with containers in order to obtain potable water. This often difficult way of life is made very harsh if not impossible when famine, floods, and other calamities occur. And the current economic crisis has worldwide implications. Consider this: "Crisis affects the poor before anyone else, and does so more aggressively. The poor are usually the last group to gain any benefit from economic recovery. First to be affected. Last to be saved"(Global Future, Number 1, 2009 WorldVision.org ).