Poverty persists as climate change and conflict worsen global food insecurity

On Friday, the United Nations reported that despite progress in some areas, extreme poverty still affects 10% of the global population, with over two billion individuals facing moderate to severe food insecurity. The report highlights that climate-related disasters have more than doubled since 2015, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities.

Challenges in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

The UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to eradicate poverty and promote equality by 2030. However, progress remains uneven. While nearly one billion people gained access to clean drinking water, nearly half of the targets are advancing too slowly, and 15% have fallen below 2015 baselines. Global extreme poverty is projected to remain close to current levels by 2026.

• 10% of the global population lives in extreme poverty.
• Over 2 billion people experience food insecurity at some point each year.
• 15% of SDG targets have fallen below 2015 levels.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the need for nations to increase official development assistance, which plummeted by 23% in 2025, stating, "Together, let us make a decisive final push to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and build a healthy, prosperous future for all."

Impact of Conflict on Poverty and Food Security

The surge in violent conflicts has severely disrupted development efforts worldwide. The annual financing gap for SDGs in developing nations stands at approximately $4 trillion (€3.5 trillion), while global military spending has reached record highs. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has particularly affected food corridors, posing long-term risks for food security in Africa and Asia.

Despite a slight decrease in global hunger in 2024, the situation remains dire. Over 8% of the world's population suffers from chronic hunger, with significant increases noted in Western Asia and Africa.

Climate Change and Its Role in Worsening Poverty

The years from 2015 to 2025 have been the hottest on record, with greenhouse gas emissions continuing to rise. The ocean has absorbed around 90% of excess heat, leading to severe impacts like melting ice caps and rising sea levels. These climatic changes contribute to increased food insecurity and water scarcity.

Natural disasters intensified by climate change have caused more than double the number of people affected, although fatalities from such events have decreased by 65% over the past decade. The number of people living in slums has surged to over one billion, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.

While renewable energy capacity has reached record highs, the growth rate remains insufficient to meet global energy demands. Sub-Saharan Africa still accounts for 86% of the population without electricity access, with projections suggesting minimal improvements by 2030.