More than 70% of people affected by conflict globally live in Africa, according to a World Bank report warning of a rapid increase in extreme poverty across 39 fragile and conflict-affected economies.
In a statement received by APA this week, the World Bank outlined alarming findings from its first comprehensive post-COVID assessment, published on 27 June 2025, highlighting how conflict and instability are driving extreme poverty and worsening food insecurity.
The report reveals that as of 2025, conflict-affected economies account for 421 million people living on less than $3 per day — more than the rest of the world combined. This figure is projected to reach 435 million by 2030, representing nearly 60% of the world’s extreme poor.
Since 2020, per capita GDP in these fragile states has declined by an average of 1.8% annually, while developing economies as a whole have seen a 2.9% increase. The extreme poverty rate in conflict zones stands at around 40%, compared to just 6% in other developing economies.
Africa hardest hit
“Over 70% of people globally affected by conflict are in Africa,” said Indermit Gill, Chief Economist of the World Bank Group, quoted in the statement.
“Half of today’s conflict-affected or unstable countries have been in such a state for 15 years or more.”
The human development toll is staggering: life expectancy in these countries averages just 64 years — seven years below the developing world average. Child mortality rates are more than double, and 18% of the population faces acute food insecurity — 18 times the rate in other developing economies.
Challenges and opportunities
Despite the bleak outlook, the report identifies some economic potential: fragile economies derive, on average, over 13% of their GDP from natural resources — three times more than other developing countries. Many also have growing young populations that could yield a “demographic dividend” if properly supported.
The World Bank is calling for stronger international support and the implementation of targeted policies to prevent conflict, improve governance, and revive growth in these vulnerable regions.
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