Iran war to push over 30 m into poverty, UNDP warns

Friday, 24 April 2026 05:41 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

More than 30 million people could be pushed back into poverty due to the economic fallout from the Iran war, including disruptions to fuel and fertiliser supplies at a critical point in the agricultural cycle, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Alexander De Croo said yesterday.

Fertiliser shortages, exacerbated by the blocking of cargo vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, have already reduced agricultural productivity, De Croo told Reuters, warning that the impact on crop yields would become evident later this year.

“Food insecurity will be at its peak level in a few months – and there is not much that you can do about it,” he said, pointing to additional pressures from energy shortages and declining remittances.

“Even if the war would stop tomorrow, those effects, you already have them, and they will be pushing back more than 30 million people into poverty,” he added.