Around 1.1 billion people globally live in multidimensional poverty, with nearly 455 million of them residing in countries affected by conflict, according to a report jointly released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI).
The report sheds light on the devastating impact of conflict on poverty, finding that poverty rates in conflict-affected regions are nearly three times higher than in more stable areas.
The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), which measures poverty beyond income by assessing deprivations in health, education, and living standards, paints a grim picture for conflict zones.
The report reveals that 40% of those living in multidimensional poverty are in countries facing war, fragility, or low levels of peace. These areas show deep disparities, with millions lacking access to basic services such as electricity, education, clean water, and adequate nutrition.
In conflict-affected nations, the average MPI stands at 34.8%, meaning over one in three people live in poverty. By contrast, in countries not impacted by conflict, the poverty rate is 10.9%, or one in nine people. This stark difference underscores the significant toll that conflict takes on the most vulnerable populations. The report highlights that poverty reduction tends to be the slowest in regions grappling with conflict, with affected countries often seeing years of hard-won progress erased by violence and instability.
Countries at war face the highest deprivation levels across all key poverty indicators. For instance, in conflict settings, over 25% of the poor lack access to electricity, compared to just 5% in more peaceful regions. Similarly, child mortality in conflict zones is eight times higher, and access to clean water and sanitation remains a severe challenge. The report points to nutrition as a critical issue, with more than 20% of the poor in conflict zones suffering from undernourishment, compared to just 7.2% in stable regions.
The report also includes an alarming case study on Afghanistan, where the number of multidimensionally poor people increased by 5.3 million between 2015 and 2023. As of 2022-23, nearly two-thirds of the Afghan population (64.9%) lives in poverty, highlighting the catastrophic impact of prolonged conflict on livelihoods.
According to Sabina Alkire, Director of OPHI, “This study provides the first global analysis at this scale examining how conflict settings exacerbate multidimensional poverty. The findings show that poverty in conflict zones is not only more widespread but also deeper, with the poor in these regions experiencing far greater deprivations.”
The MPI report also offers broader insights into global poverty trends. More than half of those living in multidimensional poverty, around 584 million, are children under the age of 18. Across the world, 27.9% of children are poor, compared to 13.5% of adults. The report further reveals that a vast number of people—828 million—lack access to proper sanitation, while 998 million still rely on inadequate cooking fuel.
The impact of conflict on poverty is particularly pronounced in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. In Sub-Saharan Africa, 256 million people live in households with at least one undernourished member, while in South Asia, that figure stands at 272 million. The report notes that poverty is not the only challenge in conflict zones, as these populations face layers of deprivation, including limited access to healthcare, education, and job opportunities.
Despite these alarming figures, the report highlights some progress in reducing multidimensional poverty. Of the 86 countries with available data, 76 have significantly reduced poverty levels in at least one time period. However, the pace of poverty reduction in conflict-affected countries remains a significant concern, with progress much slower than in more peaceful nations.
The 2024 MPI report urges global leaders to focus on the intersection of poverty and conflict, calling for targeted interventions that address the unique challenges faced by those living in war-torn areas. UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner emphasized the need for urgent action, stating, “We must accelerate efforts to support the nearly half a billion people living in conflict-affected regions. Specialized development interventions, early recovery programs, and access to essential services are crucial in breaking the cycle of poverty and conflict.”
The report concludes by calling for a greater global commitment to peace and development, noting that sustainable poverty reduction is impossible without addressing the root causes of conflict.
