The United Nations (UN) has raised fresh concerns over rising global poverty and hunger, warning that the world is off track to eradicate extreme poverty by 2030, a central target of the Sustainable Development Goals.

In a statement shared on its social media platforms on Monday, the global body disclosed that no fewer than 808 million people, representing one in every 10 persons worldwide, were living in extreme poverty in 2025.

The figure, according to the UN, reflects an upward revision from earlier projections following an update to the international poverty benchmark.

The organisation explained that the international poverty line is now defined as surviving on less than $3.00 per person per day at 2021 purchasing power parity.

“Eradicating extreme poverty for all people everywhere by 2030 is a pivotal aim of the Sustainable Development Goals,” the agency stated.

While acknowledging that extreme poverty has declined remarkably over the past decades, the UN lamented that progress has slowed significantly in recent years.

“If current trends continue, 8.9 per cent of the world’s population will still live in extreme poverty by 2030,” the statement added, underscoring the scale of the challenge.

Beyond poverty statistics, the UN described as “shocking” the resurgence of global hunger levels to figures last recorded in 2005.

It also noted a persistent increase in food prices across more countries compared to the 2015–2019 period, describing the combined crisis of poverty and food insecurity as a critical global concern.

The body warned that without decisive action, millions more could slide into deeper hardship as economic pressures and food inflation continue to bite.

Explaining the root causes of the crisis, the UN said poverty is multidimensional and driven by factors such as unemployment, social exclusion, and the high vulnerability of certain populations to disasters, diseases and other shocks that limit productivity.

It stressed that poverty and inequality extend beyond those directly affected, impacting broader society.

“As human beings, our well-being is linked to each other,” the statement read.

The organisation warned that widening inequality is detrimental to economic growth, weakens social cohesion, heightens political and social tensions, and in some cases fuels instability and conflict.

3.8 Billion People Lack Social Protection

On social protection, the UN emphasised that robust systems are essential to cushion shocks and prevent people from slipping into poverty.

Although many countries expanded safety nets during the COVID-19 pandemic, the global body revealed that 47.6 per cent of the world’s population, approximately 3.8 billion people, remained completely unprotected as of 2023.

This figure includes about 1.4 billion children.

Addressing the global cost-of-living crisis, the UN said 105 countries and territories introduced nearly 350 social protection measures between February 2022 and February 2023.

However, the organisation observed that about 80 per cent of these measures were short-term interventions.

“To achieve the Goals, countries will need to implement nationally appropriate universal and sustainable social protection systems for all,” the agency said.

The UN called for stronger collaboration among governments, the private sector and citizens to reverse current trends.

It urged individuals to actively participate in policymaking processes to ensure their rights are protected and their voices heard.

Governments, the body noted, must create enabling environments that generate productive employment and job opportunities for the poor and marginalised.

The private sector, it added, “has a major role to play in determining whether the growth it creates is inclusive and contributes to poverty reduction.”

The organisation further highlighted the role of science and innovation in tackling poverty, citing improvements in access to safe drinking water, reductions in deaths from water-borne diseases and enhanced hygiene standards as notable gains.

Maintaining that coordinated and sustained efforts across sectors remain critical, the UN insisted that urgent action is required to lift millions out of poverty and ensure that no one is left behind by 2030.

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