The feminization of poverty: Claims, facts, and data needs

It is frequently asserted, without supporting evidence, that 70 percent of the world's poor are female. This study notes the implausibility of that percentage, which would imply some 500 million female poor in excess of male numbers, almost entirely among adults. It examines whether there are likely assumptions that could warrant the claim. The study shows that poor female-headed households account for an excess of less than 100 million females living in poverty, and that no other factor can account for the remainder of the supposed gap between wide male and female numbers in poverty. It presents data showing that the global proportion of females among members of poor households is on the order of 55 percent. Finally, it proposes directions for developing more policy-relevant knowledge on the feminization of poverty.