More than 1.1 billion people across the Asia-Pacific region lived in poverty as of 2026, according to the latest Social Outlook for Asia and the Pacific 2026 report.
The situation is complex. While economic growth has lifted hundreds of millions out of acute deprivation over the last three decades, the ninth session of the Committee on Social Development highlights that poverty now frequently manifests as a lack of access to housing, health services, and education. For many households, the struggle is no longer just about daily income; it is about the inability to withstand external shocks.
“The nature of poverty and vulnerability is evolving as climate change, demographic change, digital transformation and recurring economic shocks reshape who is poor, how people experience deprivation and their exposure to future risks,” said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
The report underscores a precarious middle ground for the region. Beyond the 1.1 billion individuals currently living in poverty, an additional 1.2 billion people exist in a state of vulnerability, sitting just above their respective poverty lines. These populations are one crisis away from falling back into poverty, a reality Business Recorder notes has been exacerbated by recent inflation, disrupted energy markets, and the lingering effects of the global pandemic.
| Poverty Category | Estimated Population (2026) |
|---|---|
| Extreme Poverty | 310 million |
| Total Poverty (Multidimensional) | 1.1 billion |
| Vulnerable (Above but near poverty line) | 1.2 billion |
To address these systemic risks, the committee is examining a shift toward universal social protection and comprehensive care systems. This approach moves away from traditional, fragmented welfare schemes. Instead, it prioritizes strategic investments in human capital, such as parental education, maternal nutrition, and universal health coverage. These measures are designed to act as shock absorbers for the region’s aging population and those impacted by the transition to renewable energy.
The urgency of this transition is clear. As Business Recorder highlights, the region’s success in reducing extreme poverty—which fell from roughly 50% of the population only 30 years ago to just 4 percent in 2024—risks stagnation. Without coordinated action to address multidimensional deprivation, the next economic shock could undo decades of progress.
The deliberations in Bangkok are set to continue through the week as ministers and civil society representatives evaluate progress on regional commitments. These include the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing and the Jakarta Declaration on the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities.
The committee is expected to conclude its session by identifying specific gaps in current social protection frameworks and formalizing a path forward to meet the 2030 development goals.
