Over the last 20 years, what has happened to the world poverty rate?
A: Increased by 22.4%
B: Stayed the same
C: Decreased by 50%
The answer is C, and that means that millions upon millions have left poverty around the world; mostly in 3rd world countries. Why? Because countries have opened their doors (even if not fully) to markets. No other mechanism has ever, ever come close to this accomplishment. Yay!!
http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/poverty/overview