This statistical handbook is a user-friendly, up-to-date resource, and provides a thorough examination of the causes, effects, and ramifications of poverty throughout the developing world. The handbook contains more than 400 tables, graphs, and charts. In addition, it includes two special sections which contain information not consistently included in other statistical resources data: poverty's effects on women and children and data about poverty in selected cities. Complete coverage of poverty statistics encompassing worldwide and regional analysis makes the handbook a necessary resource for any research involving the topic of poverty, and can be used by a broad public from high school students to upper level researchers. Data and analyses in the handbook are included in 12 comprehensive chapters: "Key Indicators"; "Poverty Measures"; "Economics"; "Demographics"; "Health"; "AIDS"; "Education"; "Nutrition and Food Supply"; "Women and Poverty"; "Children and Poverty"; "Cities"; and "Policy." The handbook draws upon a wide range of published sources. (BT)