Nearly 80% of the world’s poor face climate hazards

New Global Multidimensional Poverty Index Report (Photo: UNDP)

Nearly 80% of the world’s poorest people—approximately 887 million individuals—live in areas exposed to extreme heat, flooding, and other climate hazards, according to a joint report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Oxford University.

The study identifies South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa as the regions most affected, underscoring how poverty and climate change are increasingly interconnected. Vulnerable communities in these regions face compounded risks that threaten food security, health, and livelihoods.

The findings arrive ahead of the COP30 climate summit in Brazil, where global leaders are expected to intensify discussions on funding, adaptation, and resilience strategies for developing nations.

UNDP officials warn that without urgent action, climate-related disasters will continue to disproportionately impact the poorest, worsening inequality and undermining efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.