However, in terms of incidence, poverty levels declined across all regions (figure II.3.B). Unfortunately, in the context of the current global economic and financial crisis, which is slowing down rates of economic growth, faster rates of population growth in developing countries without commensurate increases in productive employment and with a lack of comprehensive social protection have exacerbated the declines in real per capita incomes and have thus contributed to a rise in the number of poor persons. Data on recent global employment trends released by the International Labour Organization (ILO) also show that based on growth projections, the number of unemployed persons globally could rise by 20 million in 2009 as a result of the economic crisis (International Labour Organization, 2009a).