The US is a global powerhouse, boasting unparalleled technological advancements and economic output per capita. However, the country's trajectory on issues such as poverty reduction and income inequality remains starkly divergent from that of China.
In 1990, over 943 million Chinese citizens lived below $3 a day - an astonishing 83% of the population. Fast-forward to 2019, and this figure had dwindled to zero. The US, on the other hand, boasts more than four million Americans struggling to make ends meet on less than $3 a day. Despite its seemingly insurmountable productivity advantages, America's performance in addressing poverty has been woefully inadequate.
The disparity can be attributed to several factors, primarily revolving around how the country chooses to deploy and distribute its economic output. Unlike China, where significant investments have focused on reducing poverty and promoting social welfare programs, the US has largely ignored this pressing issue. The nation's economic policies often prioritize corporate interests over those of the working class, leading to a widening wealth gap.
This trend is exemplified in the growing disparity between the rich and the poor. In 1980, the middle-income group accounted for approximately half of the top 90th percentile income. However, by 2023, this figure had slipped to just 42.5%. Meanwhile, Americans at the bottom of the economic ladder now draw a meager 1.8% of the nation's income, comparable to those in developing countries such as Nigeria and Bangladesh.
The US government's latest initiatives, including tariffs and tax cuts, are set to further exacerbate this issue. The Trump administration's Big Beautiful Bill Act is expected to drastically reduce healthcare coverage for millions and slash funding for vital programs like Medicaid and the Snap nutrition assistance program. The economic impact of these measures will disproportionately affect the poorest 10% of Americans, with a 7% cut in household income anticipated.
This stark contrast between China and the US serves as a poignant reminder that success is not solely determined by a nation's economy or technological prowess. The manner in which wealth is distributed and shared among its citizens is equally crucial. As the world watches China's remarkable progress on poverty reduction, it raises important questions about America's priorities and willingness to address its own social and economic ills.
In 1990, over 943 million Chinese citizens lived below $3 a day - an astonishing 83% of the population. Fast-forward to 2019, and this figure had dwindled to zero. The US, on the other hand, boasts more than four million Americans struggling to make ends meet on less than $3 a day. Despite its seemingly insurmountable productivity advantages, America's performance in addressing poverty has been woefully inadequate.
The disparity can be attributed to several factors, primarily revolving around how the country chooses to deploy and distribute its economic output. Unlike China, where significant investments have focused on reducing poverty and promoting social welfare programs, the US has largely ignored this pressing issue. The nation's economic policies often prioritize corporate interests over those of the working class, leading to a widening wealth gap.
This trend is exemplified in the growing disparity between the rich and the poor. In 1980, the middle-income group accounted for approximately half of the top 90th percentile income. However, by 2023, this figure had slipped to just 42.5%. Meanwhile, Americans at the bottom of the economic ladder now draw a meager 1.8% of the nation's income, comparable to those in developing countries such as Nigeria and Bangladesh.
The US government's latest initiatives, including tariffs and tax cuts, are set to further exacerbate this issue. The Trump administration's Big Beautiful Bill Act is expected to drastically reduce healthcare coverage for millions and slash funding for vital programs like Medicaid and the Snap nutrition assistance program. The economic impact of these measures will disproportionately affect the poorest 10% of Americans, with a 7% cut in household income anticipated.
This stark contrast between China and the US serves as a poignant reminder that success is not solely determined by a nation's economy or technological prowess. The manner in which wealth is distributed and shared among its citizens is equally crucial. As the world watches China's remarkable progress on poverty reduction, it raises important questions about America's priorities and willingness to address its own social and economic ills.
The US is all about innovation, but when it comes to actually making people's lives better... yeah, they're kinda lacking 
I mean, China went from near-poverty to zero in like 20 years - what have the Yanks done in that time? 
And don't even get me started on this "tariffs and tax cuts" stuff, it just sounds like more ways for rich people to get richer 
They got the tech, they got the brains, but they ain't gettin' it together when it comes to lookin out for their own people. China's doin' a whole lot better in this department, and it's like they're flyin' under the radar while America's stuck in neutral 
, people who can't make ends meet are just being lazy or don't know how to start their own businesses 
, China's social welfare programs might be nice but they're also super expensive and create dependency on the government 
, the US is all about freedom and personal responsibility after all 
, it's not like other countries are just copying China's model or anything 
.
. I mean, we're living in a country where the rich get richer and the poor struggle to make ends meet, all while China is crushing poverty and helping out their citizens 
. It's like, what's going on over there? Why can't we do better here? The way our economy works is so rigged against us, with corporate interests getting all the love and the working class getting left behind 
. And now they're planning to cut funding for programs that actually help people? It's just not right 
I've got friends who are struggling to make ends meet, working multiple jobs just to get by, and it's heartbreaking. The US government's latest moves just seem to be making things worse for the poor. What's up with that? 
. But let's be real, what's really going on here? 
. And don't even get me started on this "Big Beautiful Bill Act" 
. Mark my words, they're up to no good 
.
i mean what's the point of having all that tech and money if it doesn't trickle down to the people? and those new policies from trump sound straight outta a movie plot - "big beautiful bill" is literally just code for "we're gonna hurt the poor". 
. Meanwhile, the US has more than 4 million Americans struggling to make ends meet on less than $3 a day 
. That's gonna hit the poorest 10% of Americans hard, with a 7% cut in household income anticipated 
.
, so here are some charts to sum it up:
What do you guys think? Should the US prioritize poverty reduction & income equality like China is doing? 
. The fact that China's middle class used to account for 50% of the top 90th percentile income now, but ours only accounts for 42.5%, is just insane 
.
. Like, China basically wiped out poverty, whereas in the US, we're still struggling with people living below $3 a day 
. America could learn from that.
. The US has been coasting on its tech advancements for ages, but at what cost? 
The fact that China is making such huge strides in poverty reduction while the US is still stuck in the 90s is just mind-boggling 
. China may not be perfect, but at least they're trying to level the playing field and make sure everyone's got access to basic needs like healthcare and food. Meanwhile, America's just throwing its poor folks under the bus with these new policies that are gonna hurt them even more