Nigeria Records World’s Biggest Rise in Multidimensional Poverty, UN Report Says
Nigeria recorded the world’s largest increase in the number of people living in multidimensional poverty, with 17.9 million more Nigerians affected between 2021 and 2024, according to the 2026 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index.
The report, released on Monday by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, said the number of Nigerians experiencing overlapping deprivations rose from 72.2 million in 2021 to approximately 90.1 million in 2024.
Nigeria’s multidimensional poverty rate increased from 33 per cent to 38.7 per cent over the same period, reversing gains recorded between 2013 and 2021. Afghanistan followed Nigeria, recording an increase of 5.3 million people living in multidimensional poverty during its latest assessment period.
Unlike income-based measures, the index assesses whether people face simultaneous disadvantages in health, education and living standards. These include inadequate nutrition, children missing school, poor sanitation, limited access to electricity and unsafe drinking water.
The findings come as households across Nigeria continue to face economic pressures, although the index measures broader deprivation rather than income alone. The report does not establish that any single economic policy or factor caused the increase.
Globally, the 2026 index estimated that 1.2 billion people across 108 countries live in acute multidimensional poverty, representing 18.9 per cent of the population covered. More than half are children, while 83 per cent live in rural areas.
The findings underline the challenge facing Nigeria as it seeks to reverse the latest setback and improve access to essential services, education, healthcare and adequate living conditions.
