UN Agency Announces Shocking Poverty Rate of Pakistan

More than one-third of Pakistan's population faces overlapping deprivations in health, education and living standards, according to the United Nations Development Program's (UNDP) latest Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI).

Key points

• The report estimates that 38.3 percent of Pakistanis live in multidimensional poverty, compared with 16.4 percent in India and 14.9 percent in Bangladesh.
• While another 18.4 percent is vulnerable to it, the UNDP estimates that approximately 19.3 percent of South Asia's population lives in multidimensional poverty.
• While another 12.9 percent of the population is vulnerable to multidimensional poverty, the intensity of deprivation among Pakistanis classified as multidimensionally poor stands at 51.7 percent.
• The latest estimate is 51.5 million higher than the previous update.
• "The rise in poverty should be a wake-up call for the world, " UNDP Administrator Alexander De Croo remarked.

For context, the report estimates that 38.3 percent of Pakistanis live in multidimensional poverty, compared with 16.4 percent in India and 14.9 percent in Bangladesh. Nevertheless, the figures are based on household surveys conducted in different years and do not provide a direct comparison for the same period.

While another 12.9 percent of the population is vulnerable to multidimensional poverty, the intensity of deprivation among Pakistanis classified as multidimensionally poor stands at 51.7 percent. IMF Contradicts Govt's Inflation Claims for FY27.

Unlike measures based solely on income, the index assesses overlapping disadvantages in areas including nutrition, child mortality, schooling, sanitation, drinking water, electricity, housing and household assets. Global Poverty Rises for First Time in 15 Years.

For context, the report additionally points to a global reversal, with the number of residents living in multidimensional poverty rising for the first time in 15 years to 1.2 billion.

Notably, the latest estimate is 51.5 million higher than the previous update. Children account for more than half of those affected, with 617 million living in multidimensional poverty. Regarding 83 percent of residents experiencing such poverty live in rural areas.

Notably, the findings highlight the challenges governments face in ensuring access to essential services. Poverty can involve not only a lack of income but additionally inadequate nutrition, missed schooling and limited access to clean water and electricity. Pakistan Rejects World Bank's 'Poorest' Claim.

As the report notes, south Asia accounts for a substantial share of global deprivation, representing at least one-third of deprivations in nutrition, housing and years of schooling.

In practice, the region is additionally home to 150 million poor residents living in households where a school-aged child is not attending school.

While another 18.4 percent is vulnerable to it, the UNDP estimates that approximately 19.3 percent of South Asia's population lives in multidimensional poverty. Living standards account for 36.3 percent of regional multidimensional poverty, education for 33.7 percent and health for 29.9 percent.

In practice, the figures highlight how poor health, limited education and inadequate living conditions can reinforce one another, making it harder for families to escape poverty.

"Behind these figures are 1.2 billion individuals facing hardships that reinforce one another: hunger, missed schooling and a lack of clean water or electricity. This is unacceptable, " he continued. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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In short, UN Agency Announces Shocking Poverty Rate of Pakistan is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.