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Jim Yong Kim

Jim Yong Kim

Former World Bank President (2012-2019)

Appears in 2 stories

Notable Quotes

"We are at an auspicious moment in history when the successes of past decades and an increasingly favorable economic outlook combine to give developing countries a chance—for the first time ever—to end extreme poverty within a generation." — April 2013

South Korea knew that education was the best way to pull itself out of economic misery. The focus on education paid off.

Stories

Angus Deaton: How Billions Were Lifted from Poverty

Built World

Now with Global Infrastructure Partners

In 1820, more than 80% of the world's population lived in extreme poverty. By 2019, that figure had fallen to 8.9% at the then-$2.15/day line—a decline of roughly 0.35 percentage points per year sustained across two centuries. In June 2025, the World Bank adopted 2021 purchasing power parities (PPPs), raising the extreme poverty line to $3.00/day; this revised the 2022 rate upward to 10.5% (838 million people) but projects a decline to 9.9% (808 million) by 2025, continuing the historic trend through post-pandemic recovery.

Updated Feb 5

The world goes to school

Rule Changes

Former World Bank President; joined Global Infrastructure Partners in 2019

In 1970, fewer than half the world's teenagers attended secondary school. By 2017, more than three-quarters did. Primary enrollment hit 104 percent globally—meaning virtually every child of primary age was in school, plus millions of older students catching up. College attendance nearly quadrupled, from 10 percent to 37 percent.

Updated Jan 22