# Global multidimensional poverty trends > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-multidimensional-poverty-trends > Updated: 2026-10-19T02:00:04.000Z. Sources: 46. Developments: 4. The 2026 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index report, released by the United Nations Development Programme and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, reveals a rise in global multidimensional poverty to 1.2 billion people. This represents an increase of 51.5 million people compared to the previous year, marking the first rise since the index began in 2010. Approximately 1.198 billion people—representing 18.9% of the global population—suffer from deficits in health, education, and living standards. Children account for 51.5% of those in acute poverty, totaling 617 million individuals. Poverty remains heavily concentrated in rural areas, where 83.3% of the world's poor reside, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Major contributors include hunger, lack of access to clean water, insufficient electricity, and missed schooling, with population growth identified as a significant factor. New data from the World Bank highlights that poverty levels are nearly four times the global average in economies affected by conflict and fragility. Regional trends show multidimensional poverty increasing in Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Kyrgyzstan, and Nigeria. In October 2026, UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a warning regarding alarmingly high levels of global hunger, citing conflict, the climate crisis, and rising food costs as primary drivers. He noted that 645 million people suffered from hunger in 2025 and cautioned that the El Niño phenomenon could push an additional 49 million people into hunger across 45 countries by the end of 2027. In Latin America and the Caribbean, approximately 33 million people—5.5 percent of the regional population—are affected by multidimensional poverty, including 6.1 million in severe situations. ## Claims - The number of people in acute poverty increased by 51.5 million compared to the previous year. (corroborated by 27 sources) - Children account for 51.5% of the population living in multidimensional poverty, totaling 617 million. (corroborated by 27 sources) - Approximately 1.2 billion people are currently living in multidimensional poverty. (corroborated by 25 sources) - Thirty-three nations have successfully halved their poverty rates over the last 15 years. (corroborated by 24 sources) - The global multidimensional poverty index recorded its first increase since its creation in 2010. (corroborated by 23 sources) - Population growth is cited as a major factor contributing to the increase in the number of people in poverty. (corroborated by 23 sources) - Approximately 83% of those in multidimensional poverty reside in rural areas. (corroborated by 22 sources) - The 2026 global Multidimensional Poverty Index was published by the UNDP and Oxford University. (corroborated by 19 sources) - The majority of people living in poverty are located in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. (corroborated by 16 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-19: United Nations warns of rising global hunger and multidimensional poverty The UN warns of rising global hunger affecting 645 million people, while new reports show 1.2 billion face multidimensional poverty across health, education, and living standards. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-nations-warns-of-rising-global-hunger-and-multidimensional-poverty ### 2026-10-14: Global poverty and multidimensional deprivation levels rise Global poverty is rising, with 1.198 billion people facing multidimensional deprivation. Conflict-affected regions face extreme risks, and children make up over half of the world's multidimensionally poor. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/global-poverty-and-multidimensional-deprivation-levels-rise ### 2026-10-12: Morocco reports decline in multidimensional poverty The 2026 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index shows Morocco's multidimensional poverty rate at 6.4 percent, with education identified as the largest contributor to deprivation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/morocco-reports-decline-in-multidimensional-poverty ### 2026-10-12: UNDP report: Global multidimensional poverty rises to 1.2 billion people A new UNDP and Oxford University report shows global multidimensional poverty has risen to 1.2 billion people, the first increase since 2010. Children and rural populations are most affected. 41 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/undp-reports-first-rise-in-global-multidimensional-poverty-since-2010 --- Cite as: Global multidimensional poverty trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-multidimensional-poverty-trends