Quentin Wodon is a poverty specialist for Africa and South America and is a pro bono consultant for non-profits. A main cause of extreme poverty is child marriage (under age 18); in some cultures as young as 9 or 10 years old. The children are stunted in growth, with malnutrition, and lack of education. Mortality of under 5 years old is 50%. Life time earning capacity is 50% less than if the girls waited until they were 18, because there is 50% less completion of secondary education. National economic growth rates are threatened by population growth rates of extreme poverty