KAZI ABUL MONSUR#
The United Nations statistics have once again revealed how alarming the global poverty situation remains. The data highlights the concerning state of India as well. According to their Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), 1.1 billion people worldwide are living in extreme poverty, with half of them concentrated in just five countries, including India at the forefront. India alone accounts for 244 million people living in extreme poverty. Other countries in this group include Pakistan (93 million), Ethiopia (86 million), Nigeria (74 million), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (66 million). About half of these impoverished people (584 million) are children. In Afghanistan, the poverty rate is as high as 59%. The report also states that nearly 40% of the total impoverished population live in conflict-ridden or fragile countries.
The report was prepared by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, a project spearheaded by Oxford University. It highlights that 83% of the world’s poor live in rural areas, with a significant portion residing in South Asia and sub-Saharan African countries.
The United Nations and Oxford have been publishing this Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) since 2010, using 10 indicators such as health, education, and living standards to assess poverty levels. This year’s survey covered 6.3 billion people from 112 countries, and the index was developed based on these findings.
The report emphasized poverty in conflict zones, noting that 2023 has seen more military conflicts globally than any year since World War II. Due to conflicts, disasters, and other reasons, 117 million people have been displaced from their homes. UNDP director Pedro Conceição noted, “For the first time, the MPI has been measured based on military conflict, showing how poverty has surged alongside conflicts.” He added that “it was found that 455 million multidimensionally poor people live in conflict zones, and they are 3-5 times more deprived in terms of nutrition, education, access to clean water, and a healthy environment compared to those living in peaceful regions.”#