GITNUXREPORT 2026

Poverty In World Statistics

Extreme poverty has dropped globally but remains deeply persistent in many regions.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) shows 1.1 billion in acute multidimensional poverty in 2019-2021

Statistic 2

25 countries have 1/3 of multidimensionally poor population

Statistic 3

MPI intensity averages 44.5% across poor households globally

Statistic 4

584 million multidimensionally poor live in Sub-Saharan Africa

Statistic 5

390 million in South Asia are multidimensionally poor

Statistic 6

Nutrition deprivation affects 57% of multidimensionally poor people

Statistic 7

65% of multidimensionally poor lack access to clean cooking fuel

Statistic 8

45% of poor lack sanitation, 35% lack clean water per MPI

Statistic 9

MPI covers 110 countries, 1.3 billion poor in 2023 update

Statistic 10

Child MPI shows 644 million children multidimensionally poor

Statistic 11

MPI in India: 234 million poor, 16.4% HDI

Statistic 12

In Pakistan, MPI 38.3%, affects 53 million

Statistic 13

Ethiopia MPI 67.5%, 70 million poor

Statistic 14

Nigeria MPI 32%, 67 million poor

Statistic 15

School attendance deprivation in 27% poor children globally

Statistic 16

Housing materials deprivation 56% among poor

Statistic 17

Assets deprivation affects 82% multidimensionally poor

Statistic 18

In SSA, 66% poor lack electricity

Statistic 19

South Asia 40% poor without sanitation

Statistic 20

Child undernutrition 25% in poor households MPI

Statistic 21

MPI global H=15.5%, affecting 1.1 billion

Statistic 22

350 million poor in conflict countries MPI

Statistic 23

Drinking water deprivation 25% poor, sanitation 43%

Statistic 24

Child mortality deprivation 15% among poor

Statistic 25

Years of schooling <6 years for 33% poor adults

Statistic 26

In Latin America, MPI average 3.8%

Statistic 27

East Asia MPI 1.4%, lowest

Statistic 28

67% poor deprived in at least 4 indicators

Statistic 29

333 million children under 5 in extreme poverty globally in 2022

Statistic 30

1 in 6 children worldwide lives in extreme poverty

Statistic 31

Women and girls are 15% more likely to be poor than men

Statistic 32

Rural poverty rate is 17.2% vs urban 5.3% globally

Statistic 33

80% of world's poor live in rural areas

Statistic 34

Indigenous peoples 19% more likely to be poor

Statistic 35

Elderly poor face higher rates in low-income countries, 20-30%

Statistic 36

People with disabilities twice as likely to be poor

Statistic 37

Youth unemployment exacerbates poverty for 1.3 billion under 25

Statistic 38

Female-headed households 10-20% poorer on average

Statistic 39

Refugees and IDPs: 70% in poverty

Statistic 40

Farmers comprise 75% of extreme poor

Statistic 41

356 million children in extreme poverty in SSA alone

Statistic 42

In South Asia, 98 million children extreme poor

Statistic 43

Globally, 9% of children in extreme poverty vs 6% adults

Statistic 44

50% of extreme poor are children under 18

Statistic 45

Adolescent girls 20% more deprived in education

Statistic 46

Rural children 3x more likely poor than urban

Statistic 47

40 million children in conflict zones extreme poor

Statistic 48

Orphaned children 2x poverty risk

Statistic 49

Migrant children face 15% higher poverty

Statistic 50

Poor children 3x stunting rate

Statistic 51

167 million girls not in school, poverty linked

Statistic 52

Poor households 2x dropout rate

Statistic 53

815 million poor lack healthcare access

Statistic 54

Single mothers 30% higher poverty risk

Statistic 55

Ethnic minorities 2-3x poverty rates

Statistic 56

Urban slums house 1 billion poor

Statistic 57

Fishers and pastoralists 50%+ poverty

Statistic 58

Poor women work 2x hours unpaid

Statistic 59

SSA child poverty rose 20 million 2015-2022

Statistic 60

In 2022, approximately 712 million people worldwide lived in extreme poverty, defined as less than $2.15 per day in 2017 PPP terms

Statistic 61

The global extreme poverty rate fell from 38% in 1990 to 8.7% in 2022

Statistic 62

44% of the world's extreme poor lived in just two countries, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, in 2022

Statistic 63

Between 2019 and 2022, extreme poverty increased by 70 million people due to COVID-19

Statistic 64

In 2019, 648 million people were in extreme poverty pre-COVID

Statistic 65

Global poverty headcount ratio at $2.15 a day was 9.2% in 2020

Statistic 66

1.1 billion people live on less than $3.65 per day globally in 2022

Statistic 67

Nearly 700 million people endure extreme poverty in 2023 estimates

Statistic 68

Extreme poverty affects 8.5% of the world population as of latest PIP data

Statistic 69

In 2022, 2.8 billion people were moderately or severely food insecure, linked to poverty

Statistic 70

Nigeria's poverty increased 10 million 2018-2021

Statistic 71

Pakistan has 40% population below $3.65/day

Statistic 72

Yemen: 80% in poverty due to conflict

Statistic 73

Afghanistan: 23.7 million need aid, half in poverty post-2021

Statistic 74

Bangladesh: reduced extreme poverty to 0.9% by 2022

Statistic 75

Global moderate poverty ($3.65/day) affects 44% of population

Statistic 76

3.5 billion live below $6.85/day upper-middle line

Statistic 77

In SSA, 59% below $2.15/day

Statistic 78

1.2 billion in acute food insecurity linked to poverty

Statistic 79

In 2022, 700 million in extreme poverty, stable post-COVID

Statistic 80

Madagascar highest poverty rate 77.3% at national line

Statistic 81

South Sudan 76% extreme poverty

Statistic 82

Central African Republic 71% poverty

Statistic 83

Burundi 65% extreme poor

Statistic 84

Rwanda reduced poverty from 77% to 38% 2006-2017

Statistic 85

Global $6.85/day poverty 47%

Statistic 86

4.2 billion below $10/day living wage line

Statistic 87

Sub-Saharan Africa has 40% of global extreme poor, 429 million people

Statistic 88

In South Asia, 101 million in extreme poverty in 2022

Statistic 89

East Asia and Pacific has 23 million extreme poor, lowest regional rate

Statistic 90

Latin America and Caribbean: 25 million extreme poor at $2.15/day

Statistic 91

Middle East and North Africa: 40 million in extreme poverty

Statistic 92

Europe and Central Asia: under 3 million extreme poor

Statistic 93

In Nigeria, 87 million in extreme poverty, world's highest

Statistic 94

India reduced extreme poor from 16% to 12% 2011-2019

Statistic 95

DRC has 75 million extreme poor

Statistic 96

Ethiopia: 25 million extreme poor despite growth

Statistic 97

In Sub-Saharan Africa, poverty rate is 35% at $2.15/day

Statistic 98

Haiti: 59% extreme poverty, highest in LAC

Statistic 99

Madagascar: 80% below $2.15/day

Statistic 100

Mozambique: 63% extreme poor

Statistic 101

Niger: 45% extreme poverty rate

Statistic 102

Burkina Faso: 37 million multidimensionally poor

Statistic 103

Tanzania: 26% extreme poverty, 15 million people

Statistic 104

Uganda: 21 million below poverty line

Statistic 105

Zambia: 54% poverty rate national line

Statistic 106

Malawi: 71% below $2.15/day

Statistic 107

Sierra Leone: 53% extreme poverty

Statistic 108

In West Asia, 7 million extreme poor

Statistic 109

China: <1% extreme poverty now

Statistic 110

Brazil: 5% extreme poverty

Statistic 111

Indonesia: 9.5% national poverty

Statistic 112

Philippines: 18% poverty rate

Statistic 113

Vietnam: reduced to 5% extreme poverty

Statistic 114

Ghana: 24% below $2.15/day

Statistic 115

Kenya: 34% extreme poverty

Statistic 116

Extreme poverty declined from 36% in 1990 to 10% in 2015

Statistic 117

COVID reversed 3 years of progress, adding 97 million poor 2020-2021

Statistic 118

By 2030, projected 575 million still in extreme poverty, mostly SSA

Statistic 119

Annual decline in poverty rate slowed to 0.6% pre-COVID from 1.1%

Statistic 120

SDG 1.1 target: eradicate extreme poverty by 2030 unlikely

Statistic 121

$3.65/day poverty projected to affect 3.5 billion by 2030

Statistic 122

Climate change may push 100 million more into poverty by 2030

Statistic 123

Social protection reached 52% of extreme poor in 2020s, up from 18%

Statistic 124

East Asia lifted 784 million out of poverty since 1981

Statistic 125

Global poverty rate halved between 1990-2015

Statistic 126

In 2023, 47% decline in extreme poverty since 1990

Statistic 127

Sub-Saharan Africa poverty rate rose from 54% in 1990 to peak then 35% now

Statistic 128

South Asia poverty dropped 70% since 1990

Statistic 129

689 million extreme poor in 2019, peaked at 759m in 2020

Statistic 130

In 2023, extreme poverty rate at 8.5%

Statistic 131

Extreme poverty rate dropped 1% annually 2013-2019

Statistic 132

By 2015, 1 billion lifted out since 1990

Statistic 133

China alone lifted 800 million since 1978

Statistic 134

India: 415 million escaped poverty 2005-2021

Statistic 135

SSA needs to halve poverty every 5 years for SDG

Statistic 136

Conflict drives 75% of poverty increase since 2015

Statistic 137

Digital financial services reduced poverty 2% in poor countries

Statistic 138

Cash transfers cut poverty 10% in recipient countries

Statistic 139

Remittances $831 billion to low/middle income, poverty buffer

Statistic 140

Global poverty fell 20% 2010-2019

Statistic 141

By 2030, 7.3% extreme poverty if trends continue

Statistic 142

Universal basic income pilots cut poverty 20-30%

Statistic 143

Microfinance reaches 140 million poor

Statistic 144

Agriculture growth reduces poverty 1.6x more in poor countries

1/144

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Despite remarkable global progress, the reality that over 700 million people still survive on less than $2.15 a day starkly reminds us how fragile our fight against extreme poverty truly is.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, approximately 712 million people worldwide lived in extreme poverty, defined as less than $2.15 per day in 2017 PPP terms
The global extreme poverty rate fell from 38% in 1990 to 8.7% in 2022
44% of the world's extreme poor lived in just two countries, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, in 2022
Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) shows 1.1 billion in acute multidimensional poverty in 2019-2021
25 countries have 1/3 of multidimensionally poor population
MPI intensity averages 44.5% across poor households globally
Sub-Saharan Africa has 40% of global extreme poor, 429 million people
In South Asia, 101 million in extreme poverty in 2022
East Asia and Pacific has 23 million extreme poor, lowest regional rate
333 million children under 5 in extreme poverty globally in 2022
1 in 6 children worldwide lives in extreme poverty
Women and girls are 15% more likely to be poor than men
Extreme poverty declined from 36% in 1990 to 10% in 2015
COVID reversed 3 years of progress, adding 97 million poor 2020-2021
By 2030, projected 575 million still in extreme poverty, mostly SSA

Extreme poverty has dropped globally but remains deeply persistent in many regions.

Dimensions

Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) shows 1.1 billion in acute multidimensional poverty in 2019-2021
25 countries have 1/3 of multidimensionally poor population
MPI intensity averages 44.5% across poor households globally
584 million multidimensionally poor live in Sub-Saharan Africa
390 million in South Asia are multidimensionally poor
Nutrition deprivation affects 57% of multidimensionally poor people
65% of multidimensionally poor lack access to clean cooking fuel
45% of poor lack sanitation, 35% lack clean water per MPI
MPI covers 110 countries, 1.3 billion poor in 2023 update
Child MPI shows 644 million children multidimensionally poor
MPI in India: 234 million poor, 16.4% HDI
In Pakistan, MPI 38.3%, affects 53 million
Ethiopia MPI 67.5%, 70 million poor
Nigeria MPI 32%, 67 million poor
School attendance deprivation in 27% poor children globally
Housing materials deprivation 56% among poor
Assets deprivation affects 82% multidimensionally poor
In SSA, 66% poor lack electricity
South Asia 40% poor without sanitation
Child undernutrition 25% in poor households MPI
MPI global H=15.5%, affecting 1.1 billion
350 million poor in conflict countries MPI
Drinking water deprivation 25% poor, sanitation 43%
Child mortality deprivation 15% among poor
Years of schooling <6 years for 33% poor adults
In Latin America, MPI average 3.8%
East Asia MPI 1.4%, lowest
67% poor deprived in at least 4 indicators

Dimensions Interpretation

While these numbers paint a stark portrait of a planet still laboring under the weight of poverty, it’s the human details—the 65% cooking over toxic fires, the 82% without basic assets, and the 644 million children born into this deprivation—that transform a statistical abstract into a damning indictment of our collective inaction.

Populations

333 million children under 5 in extreme poverty globally in 2022
1 in 6 children worldwide lives in extreme poverty
Women and girls are 15% more likely to be poor than men
Rural poverty rate is 17.2% vs urban 5.3% globally
80% of world's poor live in rural areas
Indigenous peoples 19% more likely to be poor
Elderly poor face higher rates in low-income countries, 20-30%
People with disabilities twice as likely to be poor
Youth unemployment exacerbates poverty for 1.3 billion under 25
Female-headed households 10-20% poorer on average
Refugees and IDPs: 70% in poverty
Farmers comprise 75% of extreme poor
356 million children in extreme poverty in SSA alone
In South Asia, 98 million children extreme poor
Globally, 9% of children in extreme poverty vs 6% adults
50% of extreme poor are children under 18
Adolescent girls 20% more deprived in education
Rural children 3x more likely poor than urban
40 million children in conflict zones extreme poor
Orphaned children 2x poverty risk
Migrant children face 15% higher poverty
Poor children 3x stunting rate
167 million girls not in school, poverty linked
Poor households 2x dropout rate
815 million poor lack healthcare access
Single mothers 30% higher poverty risk
Ethnic minorities 2-3x poverty rates
Urban slums house 1 billion poor
Fishers and pastoralists 50%+ poverty
Poor women work 2x hours unpaid
SSA child poverty rose 20 million 2015-2022

Populations Interpretation

Behind every cold statistic lies a preventable human story, a cascade of inequality where a child's birthplace, gender, or disability too often dictates a life sentence of poverty, proving that our world's greatest failing is its distribution of chance.

Prevalence

In 2022, approximately 712 million people worldwide lived in extreme poverty, defined as less than $2.15 per day in 2017 PPP terms
The global extreme poverty rate fell from 38% in 1990 to 8.7% in 2022
44% of the world's extreme poor lived in just two countries, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, in 2022
Between 2019 and 2022, extreme poverty increased by 70 million people due to COVID-19
In 2019, 648 million people were in extreme poverty pre-COVID
Global poverty headcount ratio at $2.15 a day was 9.2% in 2020
1.1 billion people live on less than $3.65 per day globally in 2022
Nearly 700 million people endure extreme poverty in 2023 estimates
Extreme poverty affects 8.5% of the world population as of latest PIP data
In 2022, 2.8 billion people were moderately or severely food insecure, linked to poverty
Nigeria's poverty increased 10 million 2018-2021
Pakistan has 40% population below $3.65/day
Yemen: 80% in poverty due to conflict
Afghanistan: 23.7 million need aid, half in poverty post-2021
Bangladesh: reduced extreme poverty to 0.9% by 2022
Global moderate poverty ($3.65/day) affects 44% of population
3.5 billion live below $6.85/day upper-middle line
In SSA, 59% below $2.15/day
1.2 billion in acute food insecurity linked to poverty
In 2022, 700 million in extreme poverty, stable post-COVID
Madagascar highest poverty rate 77.3% at national line
South Sudan 76% extreme poverty
Central African Republic 71% poverty
Burundi 65% extreme poor
Rwanda reduced poverty from 77% to 38% 2006-2017
Global $6.85/day poverty 47%
4.2 billion below $10/day living wage line

Prevalence Interpretation

The world is simultaneously winning the marathon against extreme poverty while tragically losing several critical sprints, with progress in places like Bangladesh and Rwanda starkly overshadowed by backsliding in nations like Nigeria and the haunting reality that nearly 700 million people still subsist on less than the price of a cup of coffee each day.

Regions

Sub-Saharan Africa has 40% of global extreme poor, 429 million people
In South Asia, 101 million in extreme poverty in 2022
East Asia and Pacific has 23 million extreme poor, lowest regional rate
Latin America and Caribbean: 25 million extreme poor at $2.15/day
Middle East and North Africa: 40 million in extreme poverty
Europe and Central Asia: under 3 million extreme poor
In Nigeria, 87 million in extreme poverty, world's highest
India reduced extreme poor from 16% to 12% 2011-2019
DRC has 75 million extreme poor
Ethiopia: 25 million extreme poor despite growth
In Sub-Saharan Africa, poverty rate is 35% at $2.15/day
Haiti: 59% extreme poverty, highest in LAC
Madagascar: 80% below $2.15/day
Mozambique: 63% extreme poor
Niger: 45% extreme poverty rate
Burkina Faso: 37 million multidimensionally poor
Tanzania: 26% extreme poverty, 15 million people
Uganda: 21 million below poverty line
Zambia: 54% poverty rate national line
Malawi: 71% below $2.15/day
Sierra Leone: 53% extreme poverty
In West Asia, 7 million extreme poor
China: <1% extreme poverty now
Brazil: 5% extreme poverty
Indonesia: 9.5% national poverty
Philippines: 18% poverty rate
Vietnam: reduced to 5% extreme poverty
Ghana: 24% below $2.15/day
Kenya: 34% extreme poverty

Regions Interpretation

While a few nations are valiantly chiseling down the monolith of poverty, the stark and stubborn concentration of misery in Sub-Saharan Africa reminds us that global inequality remains a gaping, unforgiving chasm.

Trends

Extreme poverty declined from 36% in 1990 to 10% in 2015
COVID reversed 3 years of progress, adding 97 million poor 2020-2021
By 2030, projected 575 million still in extreme poverty, mostly SSA
Annual decline in poverty rate slowed to 0.6% pre-COVID from 1.1%
SDG 1.1 target: eradicate extreme poverty by 2030 unlikely
$3.65/day poverty projected to affect 3.5 billion by 2030
Climate change may push 100 million more into poverty by 2030
Social protection reached 52% of extreme poor in 2020s, up from 18%
East Asia lifted 784 million out of poverty since 1981
Global poverty rate halved between 1990-2015
In 2023, 47% decline in extreme poverty since 1990
Sub-Saharan Africa poverty rate rose from 54% in 1990 to peak then 35% now
South Asia poverty dropped 70% since 1990
689 million extreme poor in 2019, peaked at 759m in 2020
In 2023, extreme poverty rate at 8.5%
Extreme poverty rate dropped 1% annually 2013-2019
By 2015, 1 billion lifted out since 1990
China alone lifted 800 million since 1978
India: 415 million escaped poverty 2005-2021
SSA needs to halve poverty every 5 years for SDG
Conflict drives 75% of poverty increase since 2015
Digital financial services reduced poverty 2% in poor countries
Cash transfers cut poverty 10% in recipient countries
Remittances $831 billion to low/middle income, poverty buffer
Global poverty fell 20% 2010-2019
By 2030, 7.3% extreme poverty if trends continue
Universal basic income pilots cut poverty 20-30%
Microfinance reaches 140 million poor
Agriculture growth reduces poverty 1.6x more in poor countries

Trends Interpretation

While we've heroically lifted a billion people from extreme poverty since 1990, our progress is now stalling so precariously that we're in a race against pandemics, conflict, and climate change just to stop the backslide, let alone finish the job by 2030.

Sources & References

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