UN Report: Over 1 Billion People Living in Extreme Poverty

UN Report: Over 1 Billion People Living in Extreme Poverty

A UN Development Programme report reveals that more than one billion people globally are living in extreme poverty, with children making up over half of this population. Collaborating with the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), the report emphasizes that poverty rates are three times higher in conflict zones, with 2023 marking the highest number of global conflicts since World War II.

The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), published annually since 2010, examines various indicators of poverty across 112 countries. The report indicates that 1.1 billion people endure multidimensional poverty, with 455 million residing in conflict-affected areas. Approximately 584 million children are living in extreme poverty, constituting 27.9% of children worldwide.

Sabina Alkire, director of OPHI, stressed the need for the international community to address both poverty reduction and peacebuilding. India has the largest number of people in extreme poverty, followed by Pakistan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which together account for nearly half of those living in poverty.