Nigeria's Poverty Rate Surges by 17.9 Million in 2024

Between 2021 and 2024, Nigeria added 17.9 million people to the ranks of the multidimensionally poor, marking the largest absolute increase globally, as reported in the 2026 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index published by the UNDP and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative. The poverty rate rose from 33 percent to 38.7 percent, with the number of poor Nigerians increasing from 72.21 million to 90.07 million.

The index measures overlapping deprivations in health, education, and living standards through 10 indicators. A separate 2024 estimate indicates that 113.32 million people, or 48.7 percent of the population, live in poverty.

The report highlights stark geographical disparities, with Kebbi, Yobe, and Sokoto having the highest poverty levels, while Lagos recorded the lowest. It emphasizes the need for tailored policies to address specific local issues, as different states face unique challenges contributing to poverty.