Extreme Poverty in Togo: 1800 to Today (and Tomorrow)

The statistics of extreme poverty represent the material baseline of human existence. When we track the share of people living below the international line of $2.15/day, 2017 PPP, we are measuring the fundamental capacity to secure food, shelter, and stability. In Togo, this percentage has served as the silent denominator of daily life for generations. These figures are not mere abstractions; they represent the collective struggle of millions to transcend the limitations of subsistence, reflecting the slow, steady transformation of an economy and the persistent realities of those living within it.

The arc of poverty in Togo spans three centuries of profound change. From the 1800s estimate of 80% to the 1900s estimate of 80%, the rate remained stagnant for decades. Following a gradual decline throughout the mid-twentieth century, the 1960s saw 68.33% and the 1980s reached 55%. By the 2020s, extreme poverty in Togo stands at 35%, ranking #153 of 157 countries. Projections suggest a continued downward trajectory, reaching 26.25% in the 2030s and eventually falling to 3.5% in the 2100s projection, mapping a long journey toward economic security.

If you were born in Togo in the 1800s, your life was statistically defined by an 80% likelihood of living in extreme poverty. Today, that probability has been more than halved. Looking toward the 2050s projection of 14.77%, the trajectory of the future suggests a vastly different material experience for those yet to be born. Understanding these shifts allows for a clearer view of how economic history shapes individual possibility. Visit our interactive portal to see where do YOU rank among everyone ever born?