The number of poor people in the world increased for the first time in 16 years

The 2026 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index, prepared by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) at Oxford University, revealed the dimensions of poverty around the world. According to the report, approximately 1 billion 198 million people, or 18.9 percent of the population, live in multidimensional poverty in the 108 countries examined.

In the report, poverty is not only based on income; It is measured by taking into account deprivations in health, education and living standards. 10 indicators are evaluated: nutrition, child mortality, education time, school attendance, clean drinking water, sanitation, electricity, shelter, cooking fuel and asset ownership.

NUMBER OF POOR INCREASED BY 51.5 MILLION

According to the report, the number of poor people worldwide increased by 51.5 million compared to the previous year.

Thus, for the first time since the creation of the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index in 2010, the number of poor people increased on a global scale.

An increase in multidimensional poverty does not mean that the poverty rate is increasing in every country. While the poverty rate decreased in some countries, the number of poor people increased due to population growth.

THE BIGGEST INCREASE IS IN NIGERIA

Comparing countries' research conducted in different periods, the report revealed that multidimensional poverty has increased in five countries. These countries were Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Guinea, Kyrgyzstan and Nigeria.

The largest increase in the number of poor was recorded in Nigeria. The number of people experiencing multidimensional poverty in the country increased by 17.9 million in the 2021-2024 period. In Afghanistan, the number of poor people increased by 5.3 million in the 2015/2016-2022/2023 period.

On the other hand, although the multidimensional poverty rate decreased in Angola and Zambia, the number of poor people increased due to population growth. In Egypt, Nepal and Tajikistan, the poor population decreased along with poverty indicators.

MORE THAN HALF OF THE POOR ARE CHILDREN

According to the report, 617 million, or 51.5 percent, of those living in multidimensional poverty are children under the age of 18. Approximately one-third of children experience multidimensional poverty, while the rate for adults is approximately one-seventh.

Of the 1.2 billion people living in poverty, 534 million are in severe multidimensional poverty conditions. Those in this group experience deprivation in at least half of the indicators weighted in the index.

The report also states that 952 million people are vulnerable to multidimensional poverty. Although these people experience various deprivations, they do not reach the poverty threshold of the index.

POVERTY IS MORE COMMON IN RURAL AREAS

Multidimensional poverty is more common in rural areas than in cities. 998 million of those living in poverty live in rural areas and 200 million in urban areas. Accordingly, 83.3 percent of the multidimensional poor are in rural areas.

While 28.7 percent of the population in rural areas is in multidimensional poverty, this rate remains at 7 percent in urban areas. The report emphasizes that the level of multidimensional poverty in rural areas is more than four times that of urban areas.

In regional distribution, Sub-Saharan Africa ranks first with 616 million poor people. In this region, 51.4 percent of the population lives in multidimensional poverty. In South Asia, the number of multidimensional poor is calculated as 393 million.

The report also includes countries that have made progress despite the current situation. Accordingly, 33 countries managed to halve the multidimensional poverty index value in less than 15 years.