The World Bank has released comprehensive updated data on global extreme poverty rates for 2026, revealing significant regional variations across developing economies.
According to the latest poverty monitoring dashboard, approximately 7.2% of the global population lives on less than .15 per day in 2025 purchasing power parity terms.
Sub-Saharan Africa continues to face the highest concentration of extreme poverty with 35% of its population affected by poverty thresholds below the international extreme threshold.
South Asia records poverty rates at 9.8%, down from 28% in 2000. India has lifted approximately 415 million people out of poverty since 2000.
The Middle East and North Africa region shows overall poverty rates at 17% with severe disparities between oil-exporting and resource-constrained nations. Yemen, Syria, and Palestinian territories face poverty rates exceeding 50% due to ongoing conflict.
Latin America and the Caribbean improved to 9.1% extreme poverty rate. Social protection programs cover approximately 140 million beneficiaries across the region. East Asia averages 3.2% extreme poverty.
Global poverty headcount reached a historical low of 8.4% in 2019 before pandemic setbacks pushed the figure to approximately 8.8% in 2023. The World Bank projects gradual return toward pre-pandemic levels by 2027.
Only 47% of the global poorest population is covered by social assistance programs, with Sub-Saharan Africa having the lowest coverage at 32%. Human capital data reveals children born in poorest countries today will achieve only 42% productivity compared to peers in wealthy nations.
Source: World Bank Poverty and Shared Prosperity Report 2025
Sources: worldbank.org
