Nigeria has recorded the largest increase in multidimensional poverty among countries assessed in a new global report, with an estimated 17.9 million people falling into multidimensional poverty between 2021 and 2024. The findings have renewed concerns about the rising cost of living, access to basic services and the economic difficulties facing millions of households across the country.
The report, the 2026 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index, was published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI). It found that Nigeria experienced a reversal in its poverty-reduction progress after improvements were recorded between 2018 and 2021.
According to the report, Nigeria recorded a greater increase in the number of people experiencing multidimensional poverty than any other country included in the comparison. Afghanistan followed, with an estimated 5.3 million additional people affected during its assessment period.
Unlike poverty measurements based solely on income, multidimensional poverty considers several aspects of people’s living conditions. These include access to education, healthcare, electricity, clean drinking water, sanitation, adequate housing and nutrition.
This means that a household may be considered multidimensionally poor not only because of limited income, but also because its members lack essential services and opportunities needed to maintain a reasonable standard of living.
The report’s historical comparison showed that Nigeria’s multidimensional poverty rate increased from 33 per cent in 2021 to 38.7 per cent in 2024. The estimated number of people affected rose from 72.21 million to 90.07 million over the same period. The report also presented a separate 2024 national estimate of 113.32 million people living in multidimensional poverty, highlighting that different survey methods and adjustments can produce different totals.
The report further identified significant differences between states. Kebbi, Yobe and Sokoto were among those with the highest levels of multidimensional poverty, while Lagos recorded the lowest multidimensional poverty index value. It also highlighted that the challenges vary by location, with nutrition and child mortality contributing more heavily to deprivation in Yobe, while inadequate access to water and electricity were more significant factors in Sokoto.
The latest findings present a major challenge for policymakers as Nigeria continues to pursue economic reforms and efforts to improve living standards. Reducing poverty will require more than increasing economic activity; it will also depend on whether households can access affordable food, reliable electricity, quality education, healthcare, clean water and better employment opportunities.
The figures also underline the importance of directing social intervention programmes towards the communities and households facing the greatest levels of deprivation. Without improvements in basic services and living conditions, economic growth may not translate into meaningful improvements for millions of Nigerians.
As the country works towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, the report serves as a reminder that poverty reduction remains a significant national challenge. The central question is how quickly government policies and development programmes can improve the daily lives of people struggling to meet their most basic needs.
