A staggering 1.1 billion people worldwide are living in multidimensional poverty, with children accounting for over half of those affected, according to a recent report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI).
Conflict Zones Exacerbate Poverty
The report highlights that 455 million people in conflict-affected countries struggle to meet basic needs, with poverty rates three times higher in these areas. 2023 saw the most conflicts globally since World War II.
Key Statistics:
- 584 million children under 18 experience extreme poverty (27.9% of children worldwide)
- 83.2% of the world’s poorest people live in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia
- India, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo account for nearly half of the 1.1 billion poor people
Experts Call for Action
Yanchun Zhang, UNDP Chief Statistician, emphasized, “The 2024 MPI paints a sobering picture. For the poor in conflict-affected countries, the struggle for basic needs is a far harsher and more desperate battle.”
Sabina Alkire, OPHI Director, stressed, “Conflicts hinder poverty reduction efforts. The international community must address poverty and foster peace simultaneously.”
The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)
The MPI measures poverty beyond income, considering indicators such as:
- Adequate housing
- Sanitation
- Electricity
- Cooking fuel
- Nutrition
- School attendance
The report underscores the need for urgent action to address poverty and conflict, ensuring a decent life for millions worldwide.
Vanguard.
