48% of Region’s Poorest People Live in Pakistan: World Bank
Mian Nadeem
Published October 07, 2026 | 07:36 PM
Skyrocketing inflation, a depreciating rupee, and continuously rising energy prices have contributed to a dangerous increase in poverty, according to a World Bank report.
Key Findings:
- The World Bank’s latest poverty report reveals that 48% of the poor people in the MENA region (Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan) reside in Pakistan, with a daily income below $3 (approximately Rs840).
- Poverty in Pakistan at the $3-a-day threshold increased by 6.4% between 2018-19 and 2024-25, while the increase at the $4.2-a-day threshold was 3.2%.
- Pakistan faces several economic shocks, including the COVID-19 pandemic, 2022 floods, rising inflation, and rupee depreciation.
Regional Impact:
The regional increase in poverty is primarily driven by rising poverty in Pakistan. The report highlights the economic impact of the Middle East conflict, noting significant rises in petrol and diesel prices in Pakistan, Lebanon, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates.
Challenges for Oil-Importing Countries:
Oil-importing countries like Pakistan, Morocco, Tunisia, Djibouti, Egypt, and Jordan are facing various economic challenges:
- Rising prices of oil and essential commodities are pushing up inflation.
- Increased borrowing costs and higher insurance premiums due to heightened risks.
- Declining remittances from Gulf economies.
Adaptation Needs:
The World Bank report states that Pakistan’s private sector has been slow to adapt to emerging economic needs.
Remittances and Mobile Broadband:
The report also notes that mobile broadband subscriptions remain low in countries below the benchmark line, including Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Pakistan, Syria, and Yemen.