The United Nations has raised fresh alarm over global poverty, warning that the world is off track to eradicate extreme poverty by 2030 — a key target of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In a statement shared on its social media platforms on Monday, the UN said that 808 million people — roughly one in ten people worldwide — were living in extreme poverty in 2025. This figure represents an upward revision from earlier estimates after an update to the international poverty line, which is now defined as surviving on less than US$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 noting that extreme poverty has declined significantly over the past decades, the UN warned that progress has slowed. According to the agency, if current trends continue, 8.9 per cent of the world’s population will still live in extreme poverty by 2030.
The UN also raised concerns over the resurgence of global hunger, describing it as “shocking” that hunger levels have returned to figures last seen in 2005. Rising food prices have been observed in a larger number of countries compared to the 2015–2019 period, compounding the dual challenge of poverty and food insecurity.
Poverty, the UN said, is a complex problem driven by multiple factors. These include unemployment, social exclusion, and the high vulnerability of certain populations to disasters, diseases, and other shocks that prevent them from being productive.
The organisation highlighted that poverty and inequality affect not only those directly impacted but also entire societies. “As human beings, our well-being is linked to each other,” the UN said, warning that growing inequality can slow economic growth, undermine social cohesion, increase political and social tensions, and in some cases drive instability and conflict.
On the issue of social protection, the UN stressed that strong systems are crucial to mitigating shocks and preventing people from falling into poverty. Despite some expansions during the COVID-19 crisis, nearly 47.6 per cent of the world’s population — about 3.8 billion people — remain entirely unprotected. Among them are 1.4 billion children as of 2023.
To address the global cost-of-living crisis, the UN noted that between February 2022 and February 2023, 105 countries and territories announced almost 350 social protection measures. However, 80 per cent of these interventions were short-term. The UN stressed that to achieve the SDGs, countries need to implement nationally appropriate, universal, and sustainable social protection systems for all.
The UN also called for broader engagement from governments, the private sector, and citizens. Governments, the agency said, can create environments that generate productive employment and job opportunities for the poor and marginalised.
“The private sector has a major role to play in determining whether the growth it creates is inclusive and contributes to poverty reduction,” the statement said.
The global body highlighted the role of science and innovation in addressing poverty. Innovations have already improved access to safe drinking water, reduced deaths from water-borne diseases, and enhanced hygiene standards. The UN said such progress demonstrates how coordinated efforts can make a tangible difference in the lives of millions.
According to the UN, poverty reduction is not solely the responsibility of governments. Citizens are urged to actively participate in policymaking to ensure their rights are protected and their voices heard. A coordinated approach across sectors is essential to lifting millions out of poverty and achieving the SDG pledge that “no one is left behind.”
The warning comes as the world faces multiple challenges, including economic shocks, conflicts, climate-related disasters, and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. These factors have slowed global development efforts and left vulnerable populations at greater risk.
The UN’s update on the international poverty line also reflects changing global realities. The revised threshold of US$3.00 per person per day accounts for differences in cost of living across countries and adjusts for inflation. This revision means more people are now classified as living in extreme poverty than in previous estimates.
Africa, South Asia, and parts of Latin America continue to experience high levels of poverty and hunger. In many countries, social protection systems are weak or inaccessible to those who need them most. Combined with rising food prices, the lack of protection increases the risk that families will fall into extreme poverty.
The UN’s statement urges immediate and collective action. Governments are encouraged to scale up long-term social protection programs, invest in sustainable economic growth, and prioritise vulnerable populations. The private sector is asked to ensure its growth benefits all, while science and innovation must continue providing practical solutions to basic needs.
As the world approaches 2030, the UN warns that nearly 1 in 10 people may remain in extreme poverty unless urgent, coordinated steps are taken. The agency stressed that ending poverty is not only a moral obligation but also essential for global stability, economic progress, and social cohesion.
The organisation concluded by reiterating the central message of the SDGs: poverty and hunger are solvable problems if the global community works together. It called on policymakers, business leaders, scientists, and citizens to step up and implement practical solutions to protect human lives, strengthen communities, and ensure a fairer, more equitable world for all.
