Countries with Highest Extreme Poverty Rates

• Global extreme poverty rate (2025): Estimated at 9.9% (about 800 million people), using the new international poverty line of $3.00 per person per day (2021 PPP).
• Reason for increase: The poverty line was raised in 2025 from $2.15 to $3.00 per day to reflect changes in the cost of living and national poverty standards, not because the world has become “poorer” overall.
• Regional disparities: Sub-Saharan Africa and conflict-affected regions are home to more than three-quarters of the global extreme poor.
• Contributing factors: COVID-19 setbacks, economic instability, climate change, and regional conflicts have all slowed progress and worsened existing vulnerabilities.

• Major drivers across these countries include war, political instability, inadequate infrastructure, limited education and healthcare, and environmental hardships.
• COVID-19 reversed progress, especially among societies already at risk, with increases in poverty accompanying economic slowdowns and loss of livelihoods.
• The new global poverty line means more people are now classified as extremely poor compared to previous years, underlining ongoing humanitarian needs.

Despite decades of advancement in poverty reduction, the world still faces a daunting situation, as about one in ten people struggle to meet basic daily needs in 2025. The most-affected countries experience systemic barriers that perpetuate this cycle, and the pandemic’s aftermath continues to challenge global goals for poverty eradication.