Over 1 billion people worldwide are currently living in acute poverty, with more than half being children and close to 40% residing in conflict-ridden and fragile regions, as highlighted in a new report released recently. The U.N. Development Program and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative at the University of Oxford jointly published this report, revealing that over 83% of impoverished individuals reside in rural areas, concentrated mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), compiled by the U.N. Development Program and Oxford since 2010, employs 10 indicators such as health, education, and standard of living. This year’s index featured data from 112 countries with a total population of 6.3 billion people. The report disclosed that 1.1 billion people are grappling with acute poverty, with the highest numbers found in countries like India, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Congo.
Of those living in poverty, a staggering 584 million are children under 18, with a significant proportion in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. In conflict-torn areas like Afghanistan, the prevalence of impoverished children is even more alarming, reaching nearly 59%. The report also underscored that 2023 witnessed a surge in conflicts, with a record-breaking 117 million people displaced due to various crises.
Pedro Conceição, director of the U.N. Development Program office, emphasised the harsh realities faced by the 455 million people enduring both poverty and conflict simultaneously, experiencing severe deprivations in basic necessities like nutrition, water, sanitation, electricity, and education. Sabina Alkire, director of the Oxford initiative, highlighted the need for targeted anti-poverty efforts by utilising the MPI to pinpoint regions most in need, such as Burkina Faso.
By showing the varying degrees of poverty within regions and the specific deprivations contributing to it, the MPI can guide effective anti-poverty investments tailored to bring about impactful change. Alkire stressed the necessity of fostering peace in these poverty-stricken conflict zones to alleviate the hardships faced by millions worldwide.