More than one billion people around the world are living in extreme poverty, with children making up more than half of those affected, according to a report released by the United Nations Development Programme on Thursday.
The report, published in collaboration with the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, highlights the severe global poverty crisis, especially in countries affected by war.
The report noted that poverty rates are three times higher in countries experiencing conflict. As of 2023, the world saw the highest number of conflicts since World War II, further worsening the situation for millions of people.
“The 2024 Multidimensional Poverty Index paints a sobering picture: 1.1 billion people endure multidimensional poverty, of which 455 million live in the shadow of conflict,” said Yanchun Zhang, Chief Statistician at the UNDP. She added, “For the poor in conflict-affected countries, the struggle for basic needs is a far harsher and more desperate battle.”
The MPI, published annually since 2010, uses data from 112 countries, covering a total population of 6.3 billion. It considers factors like poor housing, lack of sanitation, electricity, and proper nutrition, as well as limited access to education.
The report also revealed that 584 million children under the age of 18 are living in extreme poverty, representing 27.9 percent of children globally. In contrast, only 13.5 percent of adults are affected.
Sabina Alkire, Director of OPHI, said conflicts are significantly slowing down poverty reduction efforts. “What shocked us was the sheer magnitude of people who are struggling to live a decent life while fearing for their safety—455 million,” she said. Alkire also stressed that it is important for the international community to focus on reducing poverty and ensuring lasting peace.
The report shows that 83.2 percent of the world’s poorest people live in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. India leads the list of countries with the highest number of people in extreme poverty, with 234 million affected. It is followed by Pakistan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Together, these five countries account for nearly half of the 1.1 billion people living in poverty.
The UNDP and OPHI’s findings emphasize the urgent need for global efforts to reduce poverty and foster peace, especially in conflict-affected regions.
