GITNUXREPORT 2026

World Homeless Statistics

Around 150 million people worldwide lack secure shelter, devastating lives and straining economies.

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Mental illness affects 40% of homeless adults worldwide, WHO 2023

Statistic 2

Substance abuse disorders present in 25-50% of homeless populations, varying by region, 2022

Statistic 3

Unemployment rates among homeless are 70-90% globally, ILO 2023

Statistic 4

Domestic violence evictions contribute to 20% of female homelessness, UN 2023

Statistic 5

Poverty affects 80% of homeless as primary cause, World Bank 2023

Statistic 6

Housing affordability crisis: rents up 30% since 2010 causing 15% rise in homelessness, 2023

Statistic 7

Mental health service gaps lead to 30% chronic homelessness, 2022 studies

Statistic 8

Family breakdown/divorce accounts for 25% of homelessness entries, global surveys

Statistic 9

Natural disasters displace 20 million annually into homelessness, UNDRR 2023

Statistic 10

Conflict and war create 10 million homeless refugees yearly, UNHCR 2023

Statistic 11

Gambling and addiction cause 10% of homelessness in Asia-Pacific, 2023

Statistic 12

Lack of affordable housing stock: shortage of 100 million units globally, Habitat 2023

Statistic 13

Systemic racism contributes to 20% higher rates among minorities, 2023 reports

Statistic 14

Incarceration release without support leads to 15% recidivist homelessness, 2022

Statistic 15

Economic recessions increase homelessness by 10-20%, post-COVID data 2023

Statistic 16

Childhood trauma history in 50% of homeless adults, psychological studies 2023

Statistic 17

Migration for work without networks causes 10% urban homelessness, IOM 2023

Statistic 18

Globally, 56% of homeless are male, 30% female, 14% other/unknown, averaged from national data 2023

Statistic 19

Children under 18 make up 20% of the world's homeless population, approx 30 million, UNICEF 2023

Statistic 20

Elderly (over 60) represent 10-15% of homeless in urban areas globally, WHO 2022

Statistic 21

Youth aged 16-24 comprise 25% of homeless in high-income countries, OECD 2023

Statistic 22

Women and girls account for 35% of homeless worldwide, rising due to DV, 2023 UN Women

Statistic 23

LGBTQ+ individuals are 40% of homeless youth in US/Europe, extrapolated globally 20%, 2023

Statistic 24

Single adults (no children) are 70% of shelter users globally, 2022 data

Statistic 25

Families with children represent 30% of homeless households worldwide, Habitat 2023

Statistic 26

Indigenous peoples are 5-10x more likely to be homeless, affecting 5 million globally, 2023

Statistic 27

Migrants and refugees make up 25% of urban homeless, UNHCR/IOM 2023

Statistic 28

In developing countries, 60% of homeless are rural migrants to cities, World Bank 2022

Statistic 29

Veterans comprise 10% of homeless in countries with conflicts, est. 2 million global, 2023

Statistic 30

People with disabilities are 3x more likely homeless, 15% of total homeless pop, 2023

Statistic 31

Ethnic minorities overrepresented: Blacks 40% US homeless vs 13% pop, similar global patterns, 2023

Statistic 32

Average age of homeless is 35-45 years in urban settings, 2022 surveys

Statistic 33

50% of homeless women are survivors of domestic violence, global avg 2023

Statistic 34

Unaccompanied minors are 10 million of homeless globally, est. 2023

Statistic 35

Globally, an estimated 1.6 billion people live in inadequate housing conditions, including 150 million who are homeless as of 2023

Statistic 36

The world homeless population is approximately 150 million people, representing about 1.8% of the global population in 2022

Statistic 37

Over 1.6 billion people worldwide do not have access to adequate housing, with severe homelessness affecting 100-150 million, per 2021 UN data

Statistic 38

In 2023, the global homelessness rate stands at roughly 2% when including informal settlements, affecting over 160 million

Statistic 39

UN-Habitat reports that 1 in 8 people globally experiences some form of homelessness or housing inadequacy in 2024 estimates

Statistic 40

Approximately 11.2 billion nights are spent homeless annually worldwide, based on 150 million homeless multiplied by average exposure, 2023 calc

Statistic 41

Global homelessness has increased by 20% since 2010, from 125 million to 150 million, per IO estimates 2023

Statistic 42

10% of the world's population lives in slums, contributing to de facto homelessness for 800 million, 2022 UN-Habitat

Statistic 43

Extreme homelessness (street living) affects 50 million globally, while total including shelters is 150 million, 2023

Statistic 44

Homelessness costs the global economy $500 billion annually in lost productivity, linked to 150 million affected, 2024

Statistic 45

Homeless individuals have life expectancy 20-30 years shorter than average, WHO 2023

Statistic 46

Mental health disorders prevalence 2-3x higher among homeless, costing $100B globally, 2023

Statistic 47

Homelessness increases healthcare costs by 5x per person annually, est. $50K vs $10K, US/global 2023

Statistic 48

25% of homeless have untreated HIV/AIDS, higher transmission rates, UNAIDS 2023

Statistic 49

Crime victimization 10x higher for homeless, leading to 40% injury rates, 2022

Statistic 50

Lost productivity from homelessness: $2 trillion global GDP impact yearly, McKinsey 2024

Statistic 51

Child homelessness leads to 2x school dropout rates, affecting 20M kids, UNICEF 2023

Statistic 52

Homelessness correlates with 50% higher suicide rates, WHO 2023

Statistic 53

Exposure to violence: 70% of homeless women experience assault yearly, 2023

Statistic 54

Chronic diseases like TB 100x more prevalent in homeless shelters, 2022

Statistic 55

Economic cost per homeless person: $35,000/year in services, global avg 2023

Statistic 56

Homelessness reduces life expectancy to 47 years in some cities vs 75 global avg, 2023

Statistic 57

30% of homeless children suffer developmental delays, long-term societal cost, 2023

Statistic 58

Increased emergency service use: 40% of ambulance calls from homeless, urban data

Statistic 59

Social isolation leads to 50% higher depression rates among homeless, 2023 meta-analysis

Statistic 60

Homelessness perpetuates poverty cycles, with 60% offspring also homeless risk, 2022

Statistic 61

Global warming exacerbates homelessness health impacts, +20% exposure deaths projected, 2023

Statistic 62

In Africa, 40% of homeless have malnutrition rates >50%, stunting growth, WHO 2023

Statistic 63

Homelessness linked to 15% rise in property crime rates locally, 2023 studies

Statistic 64

In Europe, 700,000 people experience homelessness on any given night, per 2023 EU report

Statistic 65

United States has 653,104 homeless individuals as of 2023 HUD point-in-time count

Statistic 66

India reports over 1.77 million homeless per 2011 census, estimated 3 million in 2023 adjusted

Statistic 67

Brazil has 281,000 homeless in 2023 national survey, up 30% from 2019

Statistic 68

Australia counts 116,427 homeless nightly in 2021 census data

Statistic 69

Japan has approximately 3,992 homeless as per 2023 Ministry of Health survey

Statistic 70

South Africa estimates 250,000 homeless, with Johannesburg alone at 20,000 in 2023

Statistic 71

Canada reports 235,000 homeless annually, with 35,000 unsheltered nightly 2023

Statistic 72

Russia has around 64,000 officially homeless, but estimates up to 5 million including informal, 2022

Statistic 73

Nigeria's Lagos state alone has over 100,000 homeless in 2023 urban survey

Statistic 74

In sub-Saharan Africa, 50 million live in slum conditions akin to homelessness, 2023 World Bank

Statistic 75

Middle East and North Africa region sees 20 million displaced contributing to homelessness, UNHCR 2023

Statistic 76

China officially reports 2.579 million homeless as of 2020, estimated stable 2023

Statistic 77

UK has 309,000 homeless including temporary accommodation, 2023 Shelter

Statistic 78

Germany counts 607,000 homeless in 2022 BAG survey

Statistic 79

France reports 300,000 homeless, with 250,000 unsheltered, INSEE 2023

Statistic 80

Mexico has 22,000 street homeless in major cities, national est. 100,000, 2023

Statistic 81

Philippines estimates 72,000 homeless in 2023 DSWD data

Statistic 82

Egypt has over 100,000 homeless in urban areas per 2022 CAPMAS

Statistic 83

Southeast Asia totals 15 million homeless including informal dwellers, ADB 2023

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Sources

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Imagine a city where every single person you pass on your morning commute is without a home—this is the staggering global reality for over 150 million people, a crisis of shelter and humanity that touches every corner of our world.

Key Takeaways

Globally, an estimated 1.6 billion people live in inadequate housing conditions, including 150 million who are homeless as of 2023
The world homeless population is approximately 150 million people, representing about 1.8% of the global population in 2022
Over 1.6 billion people worldwide do not have access to adequate housing, with severe homelessness affecting 100-150 million, per 2021 UN data
In Europe, 700,000 people experience homelessness on any given night, per 2023 EU report
United States has 653,104 homeless individuals as of 2023 HUD point-in-time count
India reports over 1.77 million homeless per 2011 census, estimated 3 million in 2023 adjusted
Globally, 56% of homeless are male, 30% female, 14% other/unknown, averaged from national data 2023
Children under 18 make up 20% of the world's homeless population, approx 30 million, UNICEF 2023
Elderly (over 60) represent 10-15% of homeless in urban areas globally, WHO 2022
Mental illness affects 40% of homeless adults worldwide, WHO 2023
Substance abuse disorders present in 25-50% of homeless populations, varying by region, 2022
Unemployment rates among homeless are 70-90% globally, ILO 2023
Homeless individuals have life expectancy 20-30 years shorter than average, WHO 2023
Mental health disorders prevalence 2-3x higher among homeless, costing $100B globally, 2023
Homelessness increases healthcare costs by 5x per person annually, est. $50K vs $10K, US/global 2023

Around 150 million people worldwide lack secure shelter, devastating lives and straining economies.

Causes

Mental illness affects 40% of homeless adults worldwide, WHO 2023
Substance abuse disorders present in 25-50% of homeless populations, varying by region, 2022
Unemployment rates among homeless are 70-90% globally, ILO 2023
Domestic violence evictions contribute to 20% of female homelessness, UN 2023
Poverty affects 80% of homeless as primary cause, World Bank 2023
Housing affordability crisis: rents up 30% since 2010 causing 15% rise in homelessness, 2023
Mental health service gaps lead to 30% chronic homelessness, 2022 studies
Family breakdown/divorce accounts for 25% of homelessness entries, global surveys
Natural disasters displace 20 million annually into homelessness, UNDRR 2023
Conflict and war create 10 million homeless refugees yearly, UNHCR 2023
Gambling and addiction cause 10% of homelessness in Asia-Pacific, 2023
Lack of affordable housing stock: shortage of 100 million units globally, Habitat 2023
Systemic racism contributes to 20% higher rates among minorities, 2023 reports
Incarceration release without support leads to 15% recidivist homelessness, 2022
Economic recessions increase homelessness by 10-20%, post-COVID data 2023
Childhood trauma history in 50% of homeless adults, psychological studies 2023
Migration for work without networks causes 10% urban homelessness, IOM 2023

Causes Interpretation

Behind this sprawling global tapestry of homelessness, the stark threads reveal a chilling truth: our systems are not breaking people as an anomaly, they are manufacturing despair as a standard, unforgiving output.

Demographics

Globally, 56% of homeless are male, 30% female, 14% other/unknown, averaged from national data 2023
Children under 18 make up 20% of the world's homeless population, approx 30 million, UNICEF 2023
Elderly (over 60) represent 10-15% of homeless in urban areas globally, WHO 2022
Youth aged 16-24 comprise 25% of homeless in high-income countries, OECD 2023
Women and girls account for 35% of homeless worldwide, rising due to DV, 2023 UN Women
LGBTQ+ individuals are 40% of homeless youth in US/Europe, extrapolated globally 20%, 2023
Single adults (no children) are 70% of shelter users globally, 2022 data
Families with children represent 30% of homeless households worldwide, Habitat 2023
Indigenous peoples are 5-10x more likely to be homeless, affecting 5 million globally, 2023
Migrants and refugees make up 25% of urban homeless, UNHCR/IOM 2023
In developing countries, 60% of homeless are rural migrants to cities, World Bank 2022
Veterans comprise 10% of homeless in countries with conflicts, est. 2 million global, 2023
People with disabilities are 3x more likely homeless, 15% of total homeless pop, 2023
Ethnic minorities overrepresented: Blacks 40% US homeless vs 13% pop, similar global patterns, 2023
Average age of homeless is 35-45 years in urban settings, 2022 surveys
50% of homeless women are survivors of domestic violence, global avg 2023
Unaccompanied minors are 10 million of homeless globally, est. 2023

Demographics Interpretation

The unsettling truth is that global homelessness is not a monolithic crisis but a series of intersecting vulnerabilities, where being young, old, female, LGBTQ+, a person of color, an Indigenous person, a migrant, a veteran, or a survivor of violence statistically stacks the odds against you, and tragically, one in five faces this without ever having had the chance to grow up.

Global Prevalence

Globally, an estimated 1.6 billion people live in inadequate housing conditions, including 150 million who are homeless as of 2023
The world homeless population is approximately 150 million people, representing about 1.8% of the global population in 2022
Over 1.6 billion people worldwide do not have access to adequate housing, with severe homelessness affecting 100-150 million, per 2021 UN data
In 2023, the global homelessness rate stands at roughly 2% when including informal settlements, affecting over 160 million
UN-Habitat reports that 1 in 8 people globally experiences some form of homelessness or housing inadequacy in 2024 estimates
Approximately 11.2 billion nights are spent homeless annually worldwide, based on 150 million homeless multiplied by average exposure, 2023 calc
Global homelessness has increased by 20% since 2010, from 125 million to 150 million, per IO estimates 2023
10% of the world's population lives in slums, contributing to de facto homelessness for 800 million, 2022 UN-Habitat
Extreme homelessness (street living) affects 50 million globally, while total including shelters is 150 million, 2023
Homelessness costs the global economy $500 billion annually in lost productivity, linked to 150 million affected, 2024

Global Prevalence Interpretation

With a global population where one in eight people faces inadequate housing, our collective roof is clearly leaking, and it's high time we stop pretending it's just a little draft.

Impacts

Homeless individuals have life expectancy 20-30 years shorter than average, WHO 2023
Mental health disorders prevalence 2-3x higher among homeless, costing $100B globally, 2023
Homelessness increases healthcare costs by 5x per person annually, est. $50K vs $10K, US/global 2023
25% of homeless have untreated HIV/AIDS, higher transmission rates, UNAIDS 2023
Crime victimization 10x higher for homeless, leading to 40% injury rates, 2022
Lost productivity from homelessness: $2 trillion global GDP impact yearly, McKinsey 2024
Child homelessness leads to 2x school dropout rates, affecting 20M kids, UNICEF 2023
Homelessness correlates with 50% higher suicide rates, WHO 2023
Exposure to violence: 70% of homeless women experience assault yearly, 2023
Chronic diseases like TB 100x more prevalent in homeless shelters, 2022
Economic cost per homeless person: $35,000/year in services, global avg 2023
Homelessness reduces life expectancy to 47 years in some cities vs 75 global avg, 2023
30% of homeless children suffer developmental delays, long-term societal cost, 2023
Increased emergency service use: 40% of ambulance calls from homeless, urban data
Social isolation leads to 50% higher depression rates among homeless, 2023 meta-analysis
Homelessness perpetuates poverty cycles, with 60% offspring also homeless risk, 2022
Global warming exacerbates homelessness health impacts, +20% exposure deaths projected, 2023
In Africa, 40% of homeless have malnutrition rates >50%, stunting growth, WHO 2023
Homelessness linked to 15% rise in property crime rates locally, 2023 studies

Impacts Interpretation

The sheer human cost of these statistics reveals that homelessness is not merely a social inconvenience, but a brutal, society-wide plague that prematurely ends lives, devastates minds, and ironically, bleeds economies dry to the tune of trillions for the privilege of managing its horrific symptoms rather than curing the disease.

Regional Data

In Europe, 700,000 people experience homelessness on any given night, per 2023 EU report
United States has 653,104 homeless individuals as of 2023 HUD point-in-time count
India reports over 1.77 million homeless per 2011 census, estimated 3 million in 2023 adjusted
Brazil has 281,000 homeless in 2023 national survey, up 30% from 2019
Australia counts 116,427 homeless nightly in 2021 census data
Japan has approximately 3,992 homeless as per 2023 Ministry of Health survey
South Africa estimates 250,000 homeless, with Johannesburg alone at 20,000 in 2023
Canada reports 235,000 homeless annually, with 35,000 unsheltered nightly 2023
Russia has around 64,000 officially homeless, but estimates up to 5 million including informal, 2022
Nigeria's Lagos state alone has over 100,000 homeless in 2023 urban survey
In sub-Saharan Africa, 50 million live in slum conditions akin to homelessness, 2023 World Bank
Middle East and North Africa region sees 20 million displaced contributing to homelessness, UNHCR 2023
China officially reports 2.579 million homeless as of 2020, estimated stable 2023
UK has 309,000 homeless including temporary accommodation, 2023 Shelter
Germany counts 607,000 homeless in 2022 BAG survey
France reports 300,000 homeless, with 250,000 unsheltered, INSEE 2023
Mexico has 22,000 street homeless in major cities, national est. 100,000, 2023
Philippines estimates 72,000 homeless in 2023 DSWD data
Egypt has over 100,000 homeless in urban areas per 2022 CAPMAS
Southeast Asia totals 15 million homeless including informal dwellers, ADB 2023

Regional Data Interpretation

These staggering numbers across the globe, from thousands to millions, reveal a shared failure of imagination where we treat a lack of shelter as a statistic to be counted, rather than a solvable problem to be cured.

Sources & References

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