As of 2026, the highest rates of extreme poverty—defined by the World Bank as living on less than $2.15 per day—are concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa, specifically in countries experiencing prolonged conflict and climate instability. South Sudan consistently ranks as having the highest poverty rate in the world, with over 82% of its population living in extreme poverty due to the legacy of civil war and a collapsed infrastructure. Other countries with tragically high rates include Somalia, Burundi, and the Central African Republic. While nations like Nigeria and India have the highest absolute numbers of people living in poverty due to their massive populations, the "intensity" of poverty is most severe in fragile states where access to clean water, basic healthcare, and education is virtually non-existent. In 2026, climate-driven agricultural failures in the Sahel region are further exacerbating these crises, creating "pockets" of extreme desolation where international aid is the only lifeline for millions of people facing chronic malnutrition.