In 1990, China faced widespread extreme poverty. By 2019, it had eradicated it—an achievement rooted in policy focus, economic restructuring, and nationwide investment.
The U.S., however, has watched extreme poverty grow. Today, over 4 million Americans live on less than $3 a day, highlighting profound gaps in its social and economic safety nets.
America’s productivity is world-leading, fueled by advanced technology and innovation. But the wealth generated does not reach the majority, deepening long-standing inequalities.
The imbalance is staggering: the poorest Americans receive just 1.8% of the nation’s income. This mirrors the income distribution of developing countries, not a world superpower.
Cuts to food and healthcare programs, alongside policy decisions that raise living costs for low-income households, reveal a systemic failure to address inequality. The system is working exactly as designed—for those at the top.