| dc.description.abstract | In May 2008, China was struck by a massive earthquake that killed closed to 70,000 people. Communities were torn to the ground, and the economic losses were enormous. Ten years have passed since the massive forces took place, and communities and lives have been rebuilt, with some preceding their pre-disaster economic levels. This study applies survey data to estimate the poverty rates in the Wenchuan earthquake affected communities ten years after the disaster. I find that in 2018, the poverty incidence was 3% in the overall area, as compared to 9% before the earthquake. Of the total of 198 sampled communities, 27 reported having no government-designated poor people. However, 23 communities have a poverty prevalence of 10% or higher. These communities have few characteristics in common in terms of demographic structure and access to public services. About half of the communities are located in government-designated poor counties, while the rest are not. Altogether, the poverty situation in the Wenchuan earthquake affected area reflects the complexity of poverty in China. Great challenges remain be solved if the government is to reach the goal of eradicating all poverty within the year 2020. | eng |