Through much of human history, only a small, elite group escaped the hardships of poverty. Industrialization helped reverse that trend, and world poverty has been steadily decreasing for 200 years. However, is the total eradication of poverty possible? This book traces the history and understanding of poverty, explores the realities of those living in poverty around the world, and examines innovations designed to eliminate extreme poverty on a global level. Helpful graphics, photographs, and simple language make this important issue easier to understand for young learners.