Question

Even though the poverty ratio fell after the reforms, what remained a persistent concern?

Options

• The poverty ratio remained completely unchanged

• The poverty ratio rose sharply

• Poverty disappeared entirely from rural areas

• The absolute number of poor remained high

Answer 1

Even if the poverty ratio fell, the absolute number of poor remained high. A declining percentage of poverty can still conceal large numbers of people living in poverty, making the improvement less meaningful in human terms.