Global multidimensional poverty has risen to affect 1.2 billion people, the first increase since 2010, according to a 2026 UNDP and OPHI report.
Global poverty rises again
The 2026 report by the United Nations Programme for Development (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) shows that global multidimensional poverty has increased, affecting 1.2 billion people. This is the first rise in the index since it was introduced in 2010.More people in acute poverty
The report notes that 51.5 million more people are now in "acute" poverty compared to the previous year. This is the first increase in acute poverty in sixteen years, signaling a concerning trend in global development.Children bear the brunt
Over half of those living in multidimensional poverty are children. The report attributes the rise partly to population growth and notes that data for only 13 out of 108 countries was available for the latest analysis. Multidimensional poverty includes factors like access to clean water, education, and electricity.Progress in some regions
Despite the overall increase, the report highlights that 33 countries have reduced their poverty rates by half over the past fifteen years. Six of these are in sub-Saharan Africa, with Asia—especially China and Vietnam—showing the fastest improvements.Rural areas most affected
Nearly 83.3% of the world’s poor live in rural areas, with sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia hosting the majority of the poorest people. These regions include the Indian subcontinent, the most populous area on Earth.Warning from UNDP leader
UNDP administrator Alexander de Croo warned that the rise in poverty should be a global alarm. He emphasized that poverty is not just about hunger or lack of education but a cycle of challenges that require collective action to break.
