Washington: These nations, though home to less than 15% of the global population, account for a disproportionate share of the world’s poverty and instability.

The report highlights that the 39 countries — stretching from the Marshall Islands in the Pacific to Mozambique in Africa — are facing “increasingly deadly and frequent” conflicts and are stuck in worsening economic crises. Since 2020, these fragile states have seen their per capita economic output shrink by 1.8% annually, in stark contrast to a 2.9% annual growth in other developing countries.

More than 420 million people in these nations live on less than $3 a day — well below the poverty line. Despite comprising a small fraction of the global population, they bear the brunt of poverty-related challenges due to persistent issues like poor infrastructure and limited access to education and healthcare.

Education levels are particularly dire, with the average person in these fragile economies receiving just six years of schooling — three years fewer than peers in other low- and middle-income countries. Life expectancy is five years shorter, and infant mortality rates are double those of similar nations.

Out of the 39 countries, 21 are currently grappling with active armed conflicts, including Ukraine, Sudan, Ethiopia, and the Gaza Strip. The report warns that high-intensity conflicts — those resulting in over 150 deaths per million people — can slash a country’s GDP by up to 20% within five years.

One of the gravest concerns raised is the soaring rate of hunger. About 200 million people — or 18% of the population across these fragile states — are suffering from severe food insecurity. In comparison, only 1% of people in other low- and middle-income countries face similar conditions.