In sub-Saharan Africa, half the population is living in absolute poverty.

BBC: Attacking world poverty

Despite a much-aired fall in the poverty rate from 69% in 1997 to 54% in 2003, the absolute number living below the poverty line rose to 11.7m in a population of around 20m.

ECONOMIST: Mozambique's recovery

Over time, the proportion of the population living in poverty, as measured by some objective and absolute standard, should be declining.

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