Global multidimensional poverty rises for the first time since 2010

17:20

By: Azzat Manal

Global multidimensional poverty rises for the first time since 2010

Global multidimensional poverty has worsened for the first time since the index was introduced in 2010, according to the 2026 report released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI). The report estimates that approximately 1.2 billion people worldwide are living in acute multidimensional poverty, highlighting the scale of deprivation affecting vulnerable communities.

Published on October 12, 2026, the annual assessment records an increase of 51.5 million people experiencing acute multidimensional poverty compared with the previous year. The deterioration marks a significant reversal after years of tracking poverty through a framework designed to capture disadvantages beyond income alone.

Unlike conventional poverty measures, the Multidimensional Poverty Index examines several aspects of daily life, including nutrition, education and access to essential services. It considers whether people face overlapping disadvantages, such as inadequate food, limited schooling, unsafe or insufficient drinking water and a lack of electricity. These factors can combine to undermine household well-being and restrict opportunities for social and economic advancement.

The latest figures suggest that millions more people are facing difficult living conditions, with multiple forms of deprivation reinforcing one another. Poor access to basic services can make it harder for families to improve their circumstances, while inadequate education and nutrition can reduce long-term opportunities for employment, health and economic security.

Alexander De Croo, administrator of the UNDP, described the increase as a warning for the international community. Behind the figures are individuals and families dealing with interconnected hardships, including hunger, disrupted education and limited access to essential infrastructure. These challenges can create a cycle in which poverty makes it harder to obtain the resources and services needed to escape it.

The deterioration also raises concerns about the resilience of progress in human development. Improvements in living standards are not guaranteed to continue, particularly when vulnerable populations face several disadvantages simultaneously. The findings underline the importance of assessing poverty through a broader lens that reflects people's actual living conditions, rather than relying exclusively on income levels.

The UNDP and OPHI findings point to the need for coordinated public policies addressing several priorities at once. Measures to improve food security, expand access to education, provide safe drinking water and electricity, and strengthen essential services can help reduce overlapping forms of deprivation and improve living conditions.

With 1.2 billion people affected by acute multidimensional poverty, the 2026 report underscores the scale of the global development challenge. The rise in the index serves as a reminder that reducing poverty requires sustained efforts, targeted support for disadvantaged communities and policies that address the interconnected causes of deprivation.