The United Nations has raised fresh alarm over rising global poverty and hunger, warning that the world is not on course to eradicate extreme poverty by 2030, a key target under the Sustainable Development Goals.
In a statement released on Monday, the UN disclosed that about 808 million people, representing one in every 10 people worldwide, were living in extreme poverty in 2025.
The figure reflects an upward revision following an update to the international poverty line, now set at less than 3.00 dollars per person per day at 2021 purchasing power parity.
While acknowledging that extreme poverty declined significantly over past decades, the global body said progress has slowed sharply in recent years.
It warned that if current trends persist, 8.9 per cent of the world’s population will still be trapped in extreme poverty by 2030.
The UN also described as shocking the resurgence of global hunger to levels last recorded in 2005. It noted that food prices are rising in more countries compared to the 2015 to 2019 period, deepening both poverty and food insecurity.
According to the organisation, poverty is multidimensional, driven by factors such as unemployment, social exclusion and the vulnerability of certain groups to disasters, disease and economic shocks.
It stressed that poverty and inequality affect not only those directly impacted but also broader society, warning that widening inequality undermines economic growth, weakens social cohesion and can fuel instability and conflict.
On social protection, the UN said strong systems are vital to shield people from shocks and prevent them from falling into poverty. Despite expansions during the COVID-19 pandemic, it noted that 47.6 per cent of the global population, about 3.8 billion people, remained without any social protection as of 2023, including 1.4 billion children.
In response to the global cost of living crisis, 105 countries and territories introduced nearly 350 social protection measures between February 2022 and February 2023. However, 80 per cent of those interventions were short term.
The UN urged countries to adopt nationally appropriate, universal and sustainable social protection systems to meet the 2030 targets. It also called on governments to create environments that promote productive employment for the poor and marginalised.
The organisation said the private sector has a major role in ensuring that economic growth is inclusive and contributes to poverty reduction, while science and innovation remain critical tools in improving access to essential services such as safe drinking water and sanitation.
It maintained that coordinated and sustained action across governments, businesses and citizens is essential to lift millions out of poverty and ensure that no one is left behind by 2030.
