Timor-Leste Poverty Rate
Poverty headcount ratio at $2.15/day SI.POV.DDAY
Timor-Leste's poverty rate was 43.90% in 2014, ranked 81st globally. This represents a 27.0% decrease from 2013. Data from World Bank, covering 2001–2014.
Overview
Timor-Leste's poverty rate stood at 43.90% in 2014, a decline of +16.20pp from 2007. Timor-Leste ranked 81st globally.
Timor‑Leste’s poverty rate fell markedly between the mid‑2000s and 2014, dropping from an all‑time peak of 60.10 % in 2007 to the lowest recorded level of 43.90 % in 2014, placing the country 81st globally. This 16.20‑percentage‑point decline over seven years reflects the impact of post‑conflict reconstruction, modest economic growth, and expanded social programmes that lifted households above the international poverty line. By contrast, Yemen’s poverty incidence stood at 33.30 % in the same period, underscoring Timor‑Leste’s still‑higher vulnerability despite progress. The early 2000s figure of 55.70 % signals that the steepest reductions occurred after 2007, coinciding with increased foreign aid and investment in agriculture and infrastructure. If current policies that target rural incomes and improve basic services are sustained, the downward trajectory is likely to continue, potentially narrowing the gap with peers such as Liberia (31.70 %) and moving the nation further from its historic peak.
Data & projection
| Year | Poverty Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 43.90% | −16.20pp | #81 |
| 2007 | 60.10% | +4.40pp | #69 |
| 2001 | 55.70% | – | #40 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Timor-Leste matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw poverty rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Timor-Leste's poverty rate was 43.90% in 2014. Ranked 81st globally. This represents a 27.0% decrease from the previous year.
Timor-Leste's poverty rate peaked at 60.10% in 2007.
The lowest poverty rate in Timor-Leste was 43.90% in 2014.
Timor-Leste ranks 81st globally in poverty rate as of 2014.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.POV.DDAY. Data sourced from World Bank.
The poverty rate of Timor-Leste in 2014 was 43.90%. This ranks 81st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_timor-leste_poverty-rate,
title = {Timor-Leste Poverty Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/timor-leste/poverty-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}