A recent report by the UN Development Program (UNDP) indicates that more than one billion people worldwide are living in acute poverty, with children making up over half of those affected. Released in collaboration with the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), the report highlights alarming trends in global poverty, particularly in conflict-affected regions.
According to the report, poverty rates in countries experiencing war are three times higher, coinciding with 2023’s record number of global conflicts since World War II. The UNDP and OPHI have published their Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) annually since 2010, analyzing data from 112 countries with a combined population of 6.3 billion. The MPI evaluates indicators such as inadequate housing, sanitation, access to electricity and cooking fuel, nutrition, and school attendance.
“The 2024 MPI presents a sobering picture: 1.1 billion people endure multidimensional poverty, including 455 million living in conflict zones,” stated Yanchun Zhang, chief statistician at the UNDP. “For those in conflict-affected areas, the struggle for basic needs is a much harsher battle.”
This year’s findings echo last year’s statistics, showing that approximately 584 million children under 18 are living in extreme poverty, representing 27.9% of all children globally, compared to 13.5% of adults. The report also reveals that 83.2% of the world’s poorest reside in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
Sabina Alkire, director of the OPHI, emphasized that ongoing conflicts significantly impede poverty reduction efforts. “While these findings may seem intuitive, the sheer magnitude of individuals struggling for a decent life while fearing for their safety is shocking—455 million,” she said. “This presents a stark challenge for the international community to focus on both poverty reduction and peace-building, ensuring that any achieved peace is sustainable.”
India has the highest number of people living in extreme poverty, impacting 234 million of its 1.4 billion population. It is followed by Pakistan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which together account for nearly half of the 1.1 billion impoverished individuals worldwide.
