UN Report Reveals 113 Million Nigerians in Poverty

The 2026 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index report by the United Nations Development Programme and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative reveals that approximately 113 million Nigerians are deprived of health, education, and living standards. In 2024, about 90.1 million Nigerians were living in multidimensional poverty, marking an increase from 72.2 million in 2021, with the poverty rate rising from 33% to 38.7%.

The report indicates that multidimensional poverty measures overlapping disadvantages rather than just income levels. Globally, 1.2 billion people live in acute multidimensional poverty, with Sub-Saharan Africa having the highest burden, accounting for 616 million people.

The report also highlights that children represent 51.5% of the multidimensionally poor population worldwide. Lack of access to clean cooking fuel is identified as the most widespread deprivation, affecting over one billion people globally, with significant numbers in Sub-Saharan Africa.