Humans don't perceive their reality on absolute terms. They perceive them on relative terms. Though the stats may be correct in absolute terms, the experience t

Humans don't perceive their reality on absolute terms. They perceive them on relative terms. Though the stats may be correct in absolute terms, the experience that individuals have are significantly different and shared by perceptions of how they are doing vs. how other people in their social group or country are doing... and what hopes they have for the future. From that perspective people in the West are very cynical/pessimistic and miserable because of it. So relative poverty is what matters and also the ability to look into the future and see greener pastures. People in the West don't see this happening. Instead they see more competition for ever dwindling jobs. See corporations that do not want to treat them fairly. See governments which are not on their side... etc. etc. This is distressing. So they dismiss findings that things are getting better for poor people as propaganda. Because those people are not in their social group and the information does not apply to their experience of reality.