What is *Getting Better* by Charles Kenny about?

*Getting Better* argues that global quality of life has significantly improved through advancements in health, education, and reduced violence, even as income inequality persists. Charles Kenny uses data to show progress in life expectancy, literacy, and peace, challenging perceptions of global decline by emphasizing non-monetary well-being metrics.

Who should read *Getting Better*?

This book is ideal for readers interested in global development, economics, or data-driven optimism. Policymakers, students, and advocates of international aid will benefit from its analysis of how targeted programs in health and education drive progress despite economic disparities.

Is *Getting Better* worth reading?

Yes—it offers a compelling, evidence-based counter-narrative to pessimism about global development. The book combines historical context, actionable solutions, and accessible data to demonstrate how quality-of-life metrics have surged worldwide.

What are the main arguments in *Getting Better*?

Kenny asserts that focusing on income gaps overlooks strides in health, education, and safety. He highlights falling poverty rates, rising literacy, and longer lifespans as evidence of progress, arguing that development programs should prioritize these areas alongside economic growth.

How does Charles Kenny measure global development?

Unlike traditional GDP-centric approaches, Kenny evaluates progress through life expectancy, child mortality, literacy, and access to healthcare. These indicators reveal broad improvements even in nations with stagnant incomes.

What solutions does *Getting Better* propose for global challenges?

The book advocates funding public health initiatives, expanding educational access, promoting gender equality, and increasing international aid. Kenny emphasizes cost-effective interventions like vaccination campaigns and school-building projects.

What criticisms exist about *Getting Better*?

Some argue Kenny underestimates systemic economic inequality and overstates the sustainability of non-monetary progress. Critics also note challenges in data interpretation and the risk of complacency toward poverty.

How does *Getting Better* compare to other global development books?

Unlike works focused on poverty traps (e.g., *Poor Economics*), Kenny’s book highlights underreported successes in quality of life, offering a more optimistic, holistic view of development.

Getting Better Summary, PDF, EPUB, Audio

Getting Better

Charles Kenny

3 (1 Reviews)

Society Economics Education

Aperçu

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In "Getting Better," Charles Kenny reveals how global development is succeeding despite common pessimism. Bill Easterly and Duncan Green praise Kenny's optimistic, evidence-based approach showing dramatic improvements in health and education worldwide. Discover why infant mortality has halved since 1960 - it's not just economic growth.

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The world's poorest are still poor-but they're living longer, healthier, more educated lives than ever before, and the gap between their experience and that of the wealthy is narrowing rather than widening.

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"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

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BeFreed rassemble une communauté mondiale de 1,000,000 esprits curieux

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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

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Getting Better

Charles Kenny

3 (1 Reviews)

Society Economics Education

Aperçu

Points Clés

Auteur

Questions Fréquentes

Explorez Votre Façon d'Apprendre

Résumé Rapide10min

Ressentez le livre à travers la voix de l'auteur

Approfondissement42min

Transformez les connaissances en idées captivantes et riches en exemples

Fiches mémo10 idées

Capturez les idées clés en un éclair pour un apprentissage rapide

Fun21min

Profitez du livre de manière ludique et engageante

Meilleure citation de Getting Better

The world's poorest are still poor-but they're living longer, healthier, more educated lives than ever before, and the gap between their experience and that of the wealthy is narrowing rather than widening.

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Points clés

A World Transformed While We Weren't Watching

00:00

What if everything you believed about global poverty was wrong? Not slightly off, but fundamentally backwards? While we obsess over income gaps and economic failures, something extraordinary has been unfolding across the planet. Children in countries with stagnant economies are surviving diseases that would have killed them decades ago. Girls whose mothers never saw a classroom are graduating from school. People in nations we label "poor" are living longer, healthier lives than the wealthy did a century ago. This isn't wishful thinking or cherry-picked data-it's the most underreported story of our time. The paradox is striking: as the income gap between rich and poor nations has exploded to 127:1, the gap in what actually matters-health, education, freedom-has been quietly closing. The numbers seem damning at first glance. In 1850, the richest countries earned 4.5 times more than the poorest. Today? That ratio has ballooned to 127:1. Economists call it "Divergence, Big Time," and it's real. Both political extremes point to this chasm as proof of their worldviews-the right dismissing poor nations as hopeless, the left blaming Western exploitation. They're both missing what's happening beneath the surface.

The Great Convergence Hidden by Income Statistics

Why Growth Remains Sticky While Progress Flows Freely

Breaking Free from History's Cruelest Trap and the Revolution Beyond Survival

Education, Freedom, and the End of Violence

The Collapsing Cost of Human Flourishing

Your Life, Determined by Lines on a Map

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Cree par des anciens de Columbia University a San Francisco

BeFreed rassemble une communauté mondiale de 1,000,000 esprits curieux

Decouvrez comment BeFreed est discute sur le web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

Cree par des anciens de Columbia University a San Francisco

BeFreed rassemble une communauté mondiale de 1,000,000 esprits curieux

Decouvrez comment BeFreed est discute sur le web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

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Getting Better by Charles Kenny Summary

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Points clés

A World Transformed While We Weren't Watching

The Great Convergence Hidden by Income Statistics

Why Growth Remains Sticky While Progress Flows Freely

Breaking Free from History's Cruelest Trap and the Revolution Beyond Survival

Education, Freedom, and the End of Violence

The Collapsing Cost of Human Flourishing

Your Life, Determined by Lines on a Map

Mode Résumé Rapide - Lisez ou écoutez le résumé de Getting Better en 10 minutes

Mode Fiches mémo - Top 10 Idées de Getting Better en Bref

Mode Fun - Leçons de Getting Better Racontées en Histoires de 21 Min

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Telecharger Getting Better PDF

Telecharger Getting Better EPUB

Dans le même genre

Points clés

A World Transformed While We Weren't Watching

The Great Convergence Hidden by Income Statistics

Why Growth Remains Sticky While Progress Flows Freely

Breaking Free from History's Cruelest Trap and the Revolution Beyond Survival

Education, Freedom, and the End of Violence

The Collapsing Cost of Human Flourishing

Your Life, Determined by Lines on a Map