Global poverty records its first increase since the introduction of the global index, affecting 1.2 billion people

The global Multidimensional Poverty Index increased for the first time since its launch in 2010, according to the 2026 report published Monday by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI). The number of people living in acute poverty reached 1.2 billion, 51.5 million more than the previous year.

UNDP warns that this development is a wake-up call. More than half of those affected, namely 51.5%, are children, and poverty manifests itself through a lack of food, education, clean water, electricity, adequate housing, and sanitation.

The increase should also be interpreted in the context of population growth and the fact that the report had new data for only 13 of the 108 countries analyzed. Over the past 15 years, 33 countries have halved the proportion of their population living in multidimensional poverty, including six countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Rural areas continue to be the most affected: 83.3% of poor people live in rural areas. Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia account for the largest share of the affected population, while China and Vietnam have recorded the fastest progress.