India is one of the five countries globally with the highest number of people living in acute poverty, according to a new report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI). The report revealed that 1.1 billion people around the world live in severe poverty, with more than half of them being children.
The recently updated Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) was published on Thursday by UNDP in collaboration with OPHI, based at the University of Oxford. It highlighted that a staggering 1.1 billion people are experiencing acute poverty across the globe. Around 40 percent of these individuals live in countries that are plagued by war, conflict, or low levels of peace, based on at least one of three commonly used conflict-related datasets.
India, which ranks in the medium category on the Human Development Index (HDI), has 234 million people living in poverty, making it one of the five countries with the largest populations of impoverished individuals. The other countries on this list include Pakistan, where 93 million people live in poverty; Ethiopia, with 86 million; Nigeria, with 74 million; and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with 66 million. All of these nations, except India, are classified as having low HDI rankings.
Together, these five nations account for nearly half, or 48.1 percent, of the 1.1 billion people who are considered poor worldwide, the report stated.
Additionally, the report emphasized the devastating impact of conflict on poverty levels, stating, “A staggering 455 million of the world’s poor live in countries exposed to violent conflict, which is hindering and even reversing hard-won progress to reduce poverty.”
Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator, noted that the consequences of conflict have grown worse in recent years. “Conflicts have intensified and multiplied in recent years, reaching new highs in casualties, displacing record millions of people, and causing widespread disruption to lives and livelihoods,” Steiner said. He added, “Our new research shows that of the 1.1 billion people living in multidimensional poverty, almost half a billion live in countries exposed to violent conflict. We must accelerate action to support them.”
Steiner also called for more resources to address the crisis, urging, “We need resources and access for specialized development and early recovery interventions to help break the cycle of poverty and crisis.”
One of the most alarming aspects of the report is that over half of those living in poverty are children. Of the 1.1 billion poor individuals, 584 million are minors, meaning that 27.9 percent of children globally are in poverty, compared to 13.5 percent of adults.
The MPI report provided further insights into the daily struggles of those living in poverty. A significant number of impoverished people lack access to basic necessities such as sanitation, housing, and clean cooking fuel. According to the report, 828 million poor people live without adequate sanitation, 886 million live in inadequate housing, and 998 million lack clean cooking fuel. Additionally, 637 million poor individuals live in households where at least one member is undernourished.
The situation is particularly dire in certain regions. In South Asia, 272 million poor people live in households where at least one person is undernourished. Similarly, in Sub-Saharan Africa, 256 million individuals face this same hardship.
The report also revealed a stark urban-rural divide when it comes to poverty. A vast majority—83.7 percent—of poor individuals live in rural areas, which means that across all regions, people in rural areas are far more likely to live in poverty compared to their urban counterparts. Globally, 28 percent of the rural population is poor, compared to just 6.6 percent of those living in urban areas.
The MPI data also showed that 218 million people, or 19 percent of those in poverty, live in countries that have been affected by war. Nearly 40 percent of poor people worldwide—approximately 455 million—reside in countries experiencing war, fragility, or low levels of peacefulness. The report cited at least one of three widely accepted definitions of conflict to reach these conclusions.
In war-affected countries, poverty rates are much higher compared to those in nations that have not experienced significant conflict. For example, the report noted that the poverty rate in countries affected by conflict is 34.8 percent, which is significantly higher than the 10.9 percent rate found in nations not affected by war or only experiencing minor conflicts. Moreover, in fragile or low-peacefulness nations, the incidence of poverty is more than double that of more stable countries.
The 2024 MPI report stands out for its focus on the relationship between conflict and poverty. It presents original statistical research on poverty in 112 countries, covering 6.3 billion people globally. The report also includes a detailed analysis of how conflict affects poverty and well-being.
It is important to note that due to data limitations, the global MPI was measured over a ten-year period from 2012 to 2023. This extended period was used to ensure the creation of a comparable index for global poverty levels and trends. Despite these limitations, the report provides valuable insights into the ongoing challenge of eradicating poverty worldwide.
The findings of this report come at a critical time, as international efforts to alleviate poverty are facing setbacks due to increasing conflicts, displacement, and economic hardships in many regions. The report’s call for immediate action highlights the urgency of addressing the cycle of poverty, especially in countries most affected by war and conflict.
As the world continues to grapple with multiple crises, including economic instability, the global community will need to focus its efforts on supporting vulnerable populations and providing the resources necessary for sustainable development. Only by addressing the root causes of poverty—such as conflict, inequality, and lack of access to essential services—can progress be made toward reducing poverty and improving the lives of millions of people worldwide.