234 million Indians trapped in multidimensional poverty: UN report
Over 1.1 billion people worldwide are living in acute poverty
Despite India’s economic progress, a staggering 234 million citizens remain trapped in multidimensional poverty, according to a UN report. This places India among the five countries worldwide with the largest impoverished populations, highlighting persistent challenges in meeting basic needs like housing, health and education. The findings underscore the vast disparity between economic growth and the reality of everyday deprivation for millions.
The latest update of the global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) was released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) based at the University of Oxford.
Over 1.1 billion people worldwide are living in acute poverty, with a staggering 40 pc of this population residing in nations beset by conflict, fragility, or low levels of peace. This stark statistic sheds light on the complex interplay between poverty and instability, emphasising that regions grappling with war and violence often see the most severe deprivation.
India, in particular, has been highlighted as one of the five countries with the largest number of population living in poverty, with a total of 234 million people affected. Despite its medium Human Development Index (HDI), India finds itself among this troubling cohort, which also includes Pakistan (93 million), Ethiopia (86 million), Nigeria (74 million) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (66 million). These countries collectively account for nearly half (48.1 pc) of the world’s impoverished population.
The report stresses the multidimensional nature of poverty, which encompasses not just income levels but also access to basic services such as education, healthcare and adequate living conditions. In India, the challenges are particularly pronounced, with large segments of the population lacking access to essential needs like sanitation, clean drinking water, and proper nutrition.
The Covid-19 pandemic further exacerbated these vulnerabilities, pushing many more into the depths of poverty and highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive social safety nets and developmental policies.
In the face of staggering poverty statistics in India, the experiences of those working on the ground are crucial to understanding the depth of this crisis. A young social worker, actively engaged in various communities, sheds light on the daily realities faced by families struggling to meet their basic needs.
“I am deeply engaged with communities in India and what I see every day is truly alarming. Poverty here is not just a statistic it is a daily struggle for survival. Many families lack basic sanitation, housing and nutrition. The reality that over 600 million people live with undernourished individuals in their households is a call to action for all of us. We must focus on sustainable solutions and empower these communities to break free from the shackles of poverty,” Zainab Bint Tariq, a 27-year-old social worker from Society for Newtech Empowerment and Helpage in Lucknow, tells Media India Group.
A comprehensive approach is essential in combating poverty in India, focusing on education, health and social welfare.
“Addressing poverty in India requires a multifaceted approach that transcends mere economic growth. In my work, I see that targetted interventions focusing on education, health and social welfare are essential. For instance, increasing access to quality education is crucial for breaking the cycle of poverty. It empowers individuals with the skills they need for better employment opportunities. Similarly, improving healthcare services enhances the overall well-being of communities and reduces the financial burdens that medical expenses can impose. We must invest in these areas to create sustainable change and uplift our society,” she adds.
The roots of poverty in India are complex and deeply intertwined with historical, social and economic factors. Colonial rule, for instance, had a long-lasting impact on the socio-economic structure of the country, leading to significant inequalities. Post-independence, while there have been efforts to implement various social welfare programmes aimed at alleviating poverty, systemic issues such as corruption, inadequate infrastructure, and bureaucratic inefficiencies have hindered progress.
Rural areas are disproportionately affected by poverty, with many residents relying on agriculture for their livelihoods. The agricultural sector, often characterised by low productivity and vulnerability to climate change, leaves farmers at the mercy of market fluctuations and natural disasters. Consequently, rural poverty is compounded by a lack of access to essential services like education and healthcare. Many children in these areas do not attend school regularly due to economic pressures, forcing them into labour and perpetuating the cycle of poverty.
The role of government policies in addressing poverty in India is paramount says Tariq. Despite the existence of various initiatives aimed at poverty alleviation, many struggle with effective implementation and oversight.
“The impact of government policies on poverty in India is crucial. While numerous initiatives exist to alleviate poverty, they often fall short due to inadequate implementation and oversight. It is vital that these policies are inclusive and specifically target the most vulnerable populations. By ensuring that strategies prioritise access to education, healthcare and job opportunities, we can significantly reduce poverty and improve the quality of life for millions. We need to push for more effective policies that address both immediate challenges and long-term development,” Tariq adds.
Communities living in poverty face a range of difficulties that affect their daily lives. From limited access to basic resources like healthcare and education to struggling with unreliable income sources, these challenges can seem insurmountable. Social workers often encounter these harsh realities up close, working to bridge gaps and provide support to those in need.
“One of the most pressing challenges I have encountered is the lack of access to basic resources like food, clean water and healthcare. Many people in poverty live in inadequate housing with poor sanitation, which affects their health. The lack of educational opportunities and vocational training also traps people in cycles of poverty, making it incredibly difficult for them to break free. Furthermore, social isolation, discrimination, and limited access to legal and financial support only make their situation worse,” Mohammad Shad Qureshi, 32-year-old social worker from Delhi tells Media India Group.
While the government has implemented several initiatives to address poverty, there are still gaps that remain unaddressed. Some programmes, though well-intentioned, may not fully cater to the unique needs of marginalised communities. As a social worker, it is critical to assess these programmes’ real-world impact and advocate for more inclusive policies.
“Government initiatives like direct benefit transfers, subsidies for food and housing, and healthcare programmes have had some positive impacts, but there are clear gaps. These programmes often fail to reach rural and remote areas where access and awareness are limited. Bureaucratic delays, corruption and lack of infrastructure hinder their effectiveness. While financial aid is helpful, it is often not enough to tackle deeper issues like unemployment, education and social security for the most vulnerable communities,” he adds.
The effects of poverty go beyond statistics and policy discussions. Real stories from individuals and families affected by poverty reveal the human side of these issues.
“I once worked with a single mother in a rural village, struggling to provide for her children. They lived in a dilapidated house with leaking roofs, and her children often went to school without basic necessities. When one of them fell ill, she couldn’t afford medical treatment because of complicated paperwork that prevented her from accessing government health schemes. This experience showed me the reality that, despite available policies, poverty often prevents people from accessing the help they need. It made me realise the importance of creating more community-based, inclusive solutions to address poverty,” Qureshi adds.
According to report, over half of the 1.1 billion individuals living in poverty are children under 18, amounting to 584 million. This statistic underscores the disproportionate impact of poverty on the younger population, with 27.9 pc of children living in impoverished conditions compared to 13.5 pc of adults.
The report adds that a significant portion of people living in poverty lack essential resources, highlighting the dire conditions faced by these individuals. Specifically, 828 million lack adequate sanitation facilities, 886 million live in inadequate housing, and 998 million do not have access to sufficient cooking fuel. Furthermore, the issue of undernourishment is alarmingly prevalent; over half of the impoverished population, approximately 637 million, reside with at least one undernourished person in their household.
In South Asia alone, 272 million people live in households that include someone who is undernourished, while Sub-Saharan Africa reports a similar situation, with 256 million experiencing the same plight.
Moreover, the report reveals that about 83.7 pc of poor people reside in rural areas, underscoring a stark reality: individuals in rural regions are generally poorer than those in urban settings. Across all global regions, the disparity is significant; 28 pc of the rural population lives in poverty, compared to only 6.6 pc of the urban population. This discrepancy highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions that address the unique challenges faced by rural communities, such as access to education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Urban poverty presents its own set of challenges. Rapid urbanisation has led to the growth of slums, where residents often live in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, lacking basic amenities such as clean water, sanitation and adequate housing. The informal economy, which employs a significant portion of urban workers, offers little job security and benefits, leaving many individuals vulnerable to economic shocks.
Moreover, the ongoing violence and instability in conflict-affected areas create a vicious cycle: poverty fuels unrest, while conflict exacerbates poverty. This interrelation poses significant challenges to national and international policymakers, necessitating urgent and coordinated efforts to break the cycle of poverty and violence
As the world grapples with these pressing issues, it is clear that tackling poverty particularly in the context of conflict is not only a moral imperative but also essential for achieving broader global stability and development goals.
