Final answer:
The World Bank identifies poverty levels internationally, and while specific urban poverty figures are not provided, data shows a high prevalence of poverty in Asian urban settings. The global poverty rate decreased from approximately 35% in 1990 to about 10% in 2017. The World Bank also introduced additional poverty thresholds to better measure conditions above extreme poverty.
Step-by-step explanation:
The World Bank provides data on poverty levels across the globe, including metrics on the proportion of the world's urban population living in poverty. While specific proportions of urban poverty aren't provided in the provided references, it is indicated that the incidence of poverty is high in urban settings of densely populated regions, especially in Asia. According to the World Bank's poverty headcount ratio at $1.25 a day (PPP), which is a measure for extreme poverty, the global poverty rate has decreased from around 35 percent in 1990 to about 10 percent in 2017. This rate represents individuals living on less than $1.90 a day. Additionally, in 2018, the World Bank began considering other thresholds like $3.20 and $5.50 per day to provide a more nuanced understanding of poverty beyond those living under extreme conditions.
In urban areas, particularly in Asia, a significant proportion of the population lives in slums, with estimates suggesting that Asia is home to 60 percent of the world's slum dwellers. Many of these individuals are employed in low-wage jobs and face overcrowded, unsanitary living conditions. Overall, the World Bank's efforts have focused on reducing poverty by promoting economic growth, which has led to a significant decline in the number of people living in extreme poverty worldwide.