Global poverty index rises for first time since its 2010 creation

The United Nations has reported a rise in global poverty for the first time since the index's inception in 2010. According to the UN Development Programme's annual report, 1.2 billion individuals now live in acute poverty. This represents 51.5 million more people than the previous year. UNDP Administrator Alexander De Croo described the increase as a "wake-up call for the world."

The hardships faced by these 1.2 billion people are interconnected, including hunger, missed schooling, and lack of clean water or electricity. De Croo emphasized that this situation is unacceptable. Over half of those in acute poverty are children.

However, the UNDP noted that a significant factor contributing to the recorded increase in poverty was population growth. Data for only 13 out of the 108 developing countries covered by the report were available for the 2026 edition. Despite the overall increase in poverty, the report also reveals a positive trend: 33 nations have managed to halve the prevalence of poverty.