According to a recent report, over 1 billion individuals around the globe are experiencing severe poverty, with a substantial portion consisting of children. The report highlights that nearly 40% of those in poverty reside in conflict-affected and fragile regions.
The findings were published by the U.N. Development Program in collaboration with the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative at the University of Oxford. Notably, it points out that over 83% of the impoverished population lives in rural areas, with similar percentages found in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
Since 2010, the U.N. Development Program and Oxford have been compiling the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), which utilizes 10 indicators to assess factors such as health, education, and living conditions. This year’s analysis incorporates data from 112 countries, representing a combined population of 6.3 billion.
The report indicates that approximately 1.1 billion people are living in acute poverty, with nearly half of them concentrated in just five countries: India (234 million), Pakistan (93 million), Ethiopia (86 million), Nigeria (74 million), and Congo (66 million).
Among those classified as poor, over half, or 584 million, are children under the age of 18. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 317 million of these children, while South Asia has 184 million. In Afghanistan, a country experiencing rising poverty rates, the situation is particularly alarming, with nearly 59% of children living in poverty.
The collaboration between UNDP and Oxford emphasized the report’s focus on poverty and conflict, noting that 2023 marked a peak in global conflicts since World War II, leading to an unprecedented 117 million individuals being displaced from their homes due to violence, natural disasters, and other factors.
Pedro Conceição, head of the UNDP office responsible for the annual Human Development Report, remarked, “The combination of conflict data and the global MPI data in this report brings to light the harsh circumstances faced by those enduring both conflict and poverty.”
He also highlighted that 455 million people are caught in this dual struggle, experiencing significantly harsher deprivations—up to five times greater—regarding essential needs such as nutrition, water, sanitation, electricity, and education compared to those living in more stable environments.
Sabina Alkire, who leads the Oxford initiative, stated that addressing poverty is inherently more feasible in peaceful regions than for the 455 million suffering from both multidimensional poverty and conflict. She stressed the alarming number of individuals living in fear for their safety, underscoring the urgent need to promote and invest in peace initiatives.
Alkire expressed that the MPI serves as a valuable tool for identifying the poorest regions, allowing targeted anti-poverty strategies to be developed. For instance, in Burkina Faso, currently governed by a military junta and beset by extremist violence, almost two-thirds of its citizens are impoverished. The MPI reveals that poverty varies greatly within the country, ranging from 21% to 88% in different areas, illustrating how issues like poor school attendance, inadequate nutrition, and insufficient educational opportunities exacerbate the poverty crisis.
By pinpointing the areas with the greatest need, Alkire believes that anti-poverty funding can be more effectively allocated, thereby optimizing resource use and enhancing the impact of aid initiatives.