It is estimated that 10% of the world’s population (~750 million people) live on less than $2 per day, and two-thirds live on less than $10. Meanwhile, the wealthiest 1% of the world’s population owns 44% of global assets. International Development Studies is concerned not only with the staggering chasm that exists between the world’s wealthiest societies and their poorest members, but also with how we got there and, most importantly, what can be done about it.
We study inequities in resource access, livelihoods, vibrant social movements, and ongoing political and cultural transformations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Using interdisciplinary approaches that bring together insights from history, economics, geography, political science, and sociology, international development studies sheds light on the causes and solutions to global inequalities and extreme poverty. Furthermore, it reevaluates the significance of income as a measure of human well-being, bringing to light the importance of health, education, gender, and other considerations.