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Note: Geopolitical risks, policy uncertainty and fiscal challenges continue to cloud the global economic outlook. In 2025, a sharp rise in United States tariffs unsettled the trade environment, though the global economy proved more resilient than expected. In 2026, global growth is projected to moderate, as weaker international trade is only partially offset by continued monetary easing. While inflation has eased in most economies, rising living costs continue to strain household budgets and exacerbate inequality. Risks of renewed supply disruptions remain elevated due to conflicts, climate-related disasters, trade fragmentation and geopolitical tensions. Following is a press release from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA).

New York, 8 January 2026 – Global economic output is forecast to grow by 2.7 per cent in 2026, slightly below the 2.8 per cent estimated for 2025 and well below the pre-pandemic average of 3.2 per cent, according to the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026, released by the United Nations today.

During 2025, unexpected resilience to sharp increases in U.S. tariffs, supported by solid consumer spending and easing inflation, helped sustain growth. However, underlying weaknesses persist. Subdued investment and limited fiscal space are weighing on economic activity, raising the prospect that the world economy could settle into a persistently slower growth path than in the pre-pandemic era.

The report notes that a partial easing of trade tensions helped limit disruptions to international commerce. However, the impact of higher tariffs, coupled with elevated macroeconomic uncertainties, is expected to become more evident in 2026. Financial conditions have eased amid monetary loosening and improved sentiment, but risks remain high given stretched valuations – especially in sectors linked to rapid advances in artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, high debt levels and borrowing costs are constraining policy space, especially for many developing economies.

“A combination of economic, geopolitical and technological tensions is reshaping the global landscape, generating new economic uncertainty and social vulnerabilities,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “Many developing economies continue to struggle and, as a result, progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals remains distant for much of the world.”

Regional economic outlook: expansion broadly steady, but uneven – Economic growth in the United States is projected at 2.0 per cent in 2026, compared to 1.9 per cent

in 2025, supported by monetary and fiscal easing. However, a softening labour market will likely weigh on momentum.

In the European Union, economic growth is forecast at 1.3 per cent in 2026, down from 1.5 per cent in 2025, as higher U.S. tariffs and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty dampen

exports. Output in Japan is expected to expand by 0.9 per cent in 2026, compared with 1.2 per cent in 2025, with a modest domestic recovery partly offsetting weaker external conditions. In the Commonwealth of Independent States and Georgia, growth is projected at 2.1 per cent in 2026, mostly unchanged from 2025, even as the war in Ukraine continues to weigh on macroeconomic conditions.

In East Asia, growth is projected at 4.4 per cent in 2026, down from 4.9 per cent in 2025 as the boost from front-loaded exports fades. China’s economy is expected to grow by 4.6 per cent, slightly lower than in 2025, supported by targeted policy measures. In South Asia, growth is forecast at 5.6 per cent in 2026, easing from 5.9 per cent, led by India’s 6.6 per cent expansion, driven by resilient consumption and substantial public investment. In Africa, output is projected to grow by 4.0 per cent in 2026, marginally up from 3.9 per cent in 2025. However, high debt and climate-related shocks pose significant risks. In Western Asia, GDP is expected to grow by 4.1 per cent in 2026, up from 3.4 per cent in 2025, yet the region remains exposed to geopolitical tensions and security risks.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, output is expected to expand by 2.3 per cent in 2026, slightly down from 2.4 per cent in 2025, amid moderate growth in consumer demand and a mild recovery in investment.

International trade facing headwinds; investment remains subdued – Global trade proved resilient in 2025, expanding by a faster-than-expected 3.8 per cent despite

elevated policy uncertainty and rising tariffs. The expansion was driven by the front-loading of shipments early in the year and robust growth in services trade. However, momentum is expected to ease, with trade growth projected to slow to 2.2 per cent in 2026.

At the same time, investment growth has remained subdued in most regions, weighed down by geopolitical tensions and tight fiscal conditions. Monetary easing and targeted fiscal measures have supported investment in some economies, while rapid advances in artificial intelligence fuelled pockets of strong capital spending in a few large markets. The report cautions, however, that the potential gains from AI, when realised, are likely to be unevenly distributed, risking a widening of existing structural inequalities.

Inflation continues to slow, yet strains to the cost of living persist – The report also underscores that high prices remain a key global challenge even as disinflation

continued. Headline inflation declined from 4.0 per cent in 2024 to an estimated 3.4 per cent in 2025 and is projected to slow further to 3.1 per cent in 2026. While overall inflation has moderated, elevated prices continue to weigh on real incomes. Unlike the globally synchronized surge of previous years, inflation trends have become more uneven, shaped by recurring supply bottlenecks amid rising geopolitical and climate-related risks.

Policymakers face an increasingly complex inflation landscape, where supply risks call for a more coordinated and forward-looking approach. Monetary policy remains central but needs to work with credible fiscal frameworks and targeted social measures to protect vulnerable groups. Sectoral polices also play a role by expanding productive capacity and strengthening supply chains, especially in food, energy and logistics. Coordinated action across monetary, fiscal and industrial policies will be critical to managing persistent price pressures without compromising social stability or long-term growth.

“Even as inflation recedes, high and still rising prices continue to erode the purchasing power of the most vulnerable,” said Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. “Ensuring that lower inflation translates into real improvements for households requires safeguarding essential spending, strengthening market competition, and tackling the structural drivers of recurring price shocks.”

Call for renewed multilateral action – The report underscores that navigating an era of trade realignments, persistent price pressures, andclimate-related shocks will demand deeper global coordination and decisive collective action at atime when geopolitical tensions are rising, policies are becoming more inward-looking, and impetus

towards multilateral solutions is weakening. Sustained progress will depend on rebuilding trust, strengthening predictability, and renewing the commitment to an open, rules-based multilateral trading system.

The Sevilla Commitment, the outcome document of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, offers a forward-looking blueprint to strengthen multilateral cooperation, reform the international financial architecture, and scale up development finance.

Delivering on its key priorities—including clearer debt workout modalities and expanded

concessional and climate finance—is essential to reducing systemic risks and fostering a more stable and equitable global economy.

~

Media Contacts:

3Martin Samaan, UN Department of Global Communications, samaanm@un.org

Helen Rosengren, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, rosengrenh@un.org

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New York, 29 December 2025 — Opening the year with an urgent appeal, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called on world leaders today to get “priorities straight” and invest in development, not destruction.

“As we enter the new year, the world stands at a crossroads. Chaos and uncertainty surround us,” says Guterres in his message for 2026. “People everywhere are asking: Are leaders even listening? Are they ready to act?”

Today, the scale of human suffering is staggering – over one-quarter of humanity lives in areas affected by conflict. More than 200 million people globally need humanitarian assistance, and nearly 120 million people have been forcibly displaced, fleeing war, crises, disasters or persecution. 

“As we turn the page on a turbulent year, one fact speaks louder than words: global military spending has soared to $2.7 trillion, growing by almost 10 per cent.”

Yet, as humanitarian crises around the world intensify, global military spending is projected to more than double – from $2.7 trillion in 2024 to an astonishing $6.6 trillion by 2035 – if current trends persist. Data shows that $2.7 trillion is thirteen times the amount of all global development aid combined and is equivalent to the entire Gross Domestic Product of the continent of Africa. 

“On this New Year, let’s resolve to get our priorities straight. A safer world begins by investing more in fighting poverty and less in fighting wars. Peace must prevail,” urges Guterres.

In September 2025, the Secretary-General, as requested by UN Member States in the 2024 Pact for the Future, launched a report that revealed a stark imbalance in global spending. Called The Security We Need: Rebalancing Military Spending for a Sustainable and Peaceful Future, the report examines the difficult trade-offs presented by the increasing global military spending, making a powerful case for investing in peace and in people’s futures:

·       Less than 4% ($93 billion) of $2.7 trillion is needed annually to end world hunger by 2030.

·       A little over 10% ($285 billion) of $2.7 trillion could fully vaccinate every child.

·       $5 trillion could fund 12 years of quality education of every child in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

·       Spending $1 billion on the military creates 11,200 jobs, but the same amount creates 26,700 jobs in education, 17,200 in healthcare or 16,800 in clean energy.

·       Reinvesting 15% ($387 billion) of the $2.7 trillion is more than enough to cover the annual costs of climate change adaptation in developing countries.

·       Each dollar spent on the military generates over twice the greenhouse gas emissions of a dollar invested in civilian sectors.

“It’s clear the world has the resources to lift lives, heal the planet, and secure a future of peace and justice,” says Guterres. “In 2026, I call on leaders everywhere: Get serious. Choose people and planet over pain.”

“This New Year, let’s rise together: For justice. For humanity. For peace.”

***

Quick Links:

UN Secretary-General’s report – The Security We Need: Rebalancing Military Spending for a Sustainable and Peaceful Future

Press Release | Key Messages | Fact Sheet | Digital Assets

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Note: The World Food Programme has issued its latest report on the food security situation in Afghanistan, where the rate of hunger is soaring to dangerous levels and malnutrition has reached record highs. As winter sets in, millions will struggle, caught between a deepening crisis and fading hope. Following is a WFP News Release.

Kabul, Afghanistan, 16 December 2025 – Over 17 million Afghans are facing acute food insecurity this winter, as the scale and severity of hunger and malnutrition deepens, warns the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). New food security figures from the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report for Afghanistan indicate that three million more women, men, and children face acute hunger or worse (IPC3+) compared to the 14.8 million last year.

Child malnutrition too is projected to rise, affecting nearly four million children in the coming year. With child malnutrition already at its highest level in decades, and unprecedented reductions in funding for agencies providing essential services, access to treatment is increasingly scarce. Left untreated, malnutrition in children is life-threatening with child deaths likely to rise during the harsh winter months when food is scarcest. All key indicators point to a brutal winter season ahead for Afghanistan’s most vulnerable families.

“WFP has been warning for months about the clear signs of a deepening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, and the latest data confirms our worst fears,” said John Aylieff, WFP Country Director in Afghanistan. “Our teams are seeing families skipping meals for days on end and taking extreme measures to survive.  Child deaths are rising, and they risk becoming worse in the months ahead.”

Latest IPC report on acute food insecurity available here.
Latest IPC report on acute malnutrition available here.

Afghanistan is bracing for a harsh and unforgiving winter as multiple crises converge. Drought has affected half the country and destroyed crops. Job losses and a weakened economy have eroded incomes and livelihoods. Recent earthquakes have left families homeless, pushing humanitarian needs to new extremes.

Forced returns from Pakistan and Iran are further compounding needs, with 2.5 million Afghans sent back to Afghanistan since the beginning of the year, many arriving malnourished and destitute. Nearly as many more are expected to return in 2026.

While the crisis deepens, humanitarian aid for Afghanistan is shrinking, leaving millions without the support that has historically curbed severe hunger and malnutrition.

“We need to bring Afghanistan’s crisis back into the headlines to give the most vulnerable Afghans the attention they deserve,” added Aylieff. “We must stand with the people of Afghanistan who depend on critical support to survive, and deploy proven solutions towards a recovery with hope, dignity and prosperity.”

For the first time in decades, WFP cannot launch a significant winter response, while also scaling up emergency and nutrition support nationwide. With immediate funding, WFP is ready to mount a large-scale winter response—ensuring families can push back hunger and escape falling deeper into crisis.

WFP urgently requires US$468 million to deliver life-saving food assistance to six million of Afghanistan’s most vulnerable people—helping them survive the harsh winter.

#                 #                   #

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media, @WFP_Afghanistan

For more information please contact (email address: firstname.lastname@wfp.org):

Isheeta Sumra, WFP/ Kabul, Mob. +93 70 365 60550
Nina Valente, WFP/ London, Mob. +44 (0)796 8008 474
Martin Rentsch, WFP/Berlin, Mob +49 160 99 26 17 30
Shaza Moghraby, WFP/New York, Mob. + 1 929 289 9867

Rene McGuffin, WFP/ Washington Mob. +1 771 245 4268

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Geneva/New York, 14 December 2025 – With growing number of people worldwide now using traditional medicine when they cannot afford regular health services, the World Health Organization will hold a global summit this month to collect more evidence and data to inform policies for the safe use of the medicine.

The Geneva-based health organization has announced The Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine from 17 to 19 December in New Delhi with the participation of policy makers, practitioners, scientists and Indigenous leaders from around the world. The first summit, hosted by India, was held in August 2023.

WHO said the summit will discuss how to implement the WHO Global traditional medicine strategy through 2034, which aims to advance evidence-based traditional, complementary and integrative medicine and provides guidance on regulation and multi-stakeholder collaboration, UN News reported.

Shyama Kuruvilla, director of WHO’s Global Traditional Medicine Centre, said, “With half the world’s population lacking access to essential health services, traditional medicine is often the closest or only care available for many people.”

“For many others, it’s a preferred choice because it is personalised and holistic. It’s bio-culturally aligned and it supports overall well-being rather than only treating specific disease symptoms.”

Kuruvilla said global demand for traditional medicine is rising due to chronic diseases, mental health needs, stress management and the search for meaningful care.

Despite widespread use and demand, however, less than one per cent of global health research funding currently supports it, she added.

140 countries use traditional medicine, rely on WHO for guidance
Information available in WHO websites regarding traditional medicine said “88 per cent of all countries are estimated to use traditional medicine, such as herbal medicines, acupuncture, yoga, indigenous therapies and others.” It said some 140 Member States report the use of traditional medicine, and their priority request to WHO is for evidence and data to inform policies, standards and regulatory frameworks for safe, cost-effective and equitable use.”

WHO said traditional medicine has been an integral resource for health for centuries and it is still a mainstay for some with inequities in access to conventional medicine. Other observations are:

The sociocultural practice and biodiversity heritages of traditional medicine are invaluable resources to evolve inclusive, diverse sustainable development.

Traditional medicine is also part of the growing trillion-dollar global health, wellness, beauty, and pharmaceutical industries. Over 40 per cent of pharmaceutical formulations are based on natural products and landmark drugs, including aspirin and artemisinin, originated from traditional medicine.

The contribution of traditional medicine to national health systems is not yet fully realized, as millions of accredited traditional medicine workers, facilities, expenditures and products are not fully accounted for.

Augmenting WHO’s capacities to address these knowledge needs will be a main objective of WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC).

           
India is hosting the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre – WHO said India has committed to invest US$250 million to establish the center which includes 35 acres of land in Jamnagar, Gujarat, a new building and support for operational costs with a 10-year commitment. WHO said the centre will be an “accessible, eco-friendly and interactive facility showcasing global traditions and modern scientific advances in traditional medicine. While the new Centre is being built, an interim office has been established at the Institute Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), which is a WHO Collaborating Centre and Institute of National Importance.”

First summit held in August 2023 – The first summit convened by WHO to discuss traditional medicine took place in Gujarat, India, and focused on sharing evidence and best practices in the field of traditional medicine.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, as reported by UN News at that time, said the medicine has made “enormous” contributions to human health and its understanding of the “intimate links” between health and the environment. Tedros said the summit helped to bring together “ancient wisdom and modern science for the health and well-being of people and planet”.

Read the first global summit: Traditional Medicine Summit 

(By J. Tuyet Nguyen)

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Oslo, 8 December 2025 – The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) said in a press release that highlights fear that the lack of funding means that millions of people enduring crises in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar and Syria will not get aid. This is not a foregone conclusion and must be avoided at all costs. The press release followed the announcement by the United Nations that 239 million people will need humanitarian assistance and protection in 2026.

Statement by Maureen Magee, Global Director of Field Operations, at the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), commenting on the Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO) for 2026:

“2026 is set to stretch humanitarian responses to their limit as they seek to support people with the most severe needs around the world.  

“Next year, 239 million people will be in need of humanitarian assistance and protection. Humanitarians are aiming to reach just over half of them. We fear a lack of funding means that millions of people enduring crises in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar and Syria will not get aid. This is not a foregone conclusion and must be avoided at all costs. 

“In 2025 the dramatic cuts to humanitarian funding from the United States and European donors meant the gap between required and actual funding was greater than ever. Ultimately, tens of millions of people went without the help they desperately needed. In 2026 the impact of the cuts made by donors will become even more evident on the frontlines. This cannot continue. 

“The only way to cope with the current situation is to collectively treat the symptoms and the underlying cause of need simultaneously. The humanitarian system must prioritise its efforts assisting people with the most severe needs, providing urgent and emergency interventions in crises. At the same time, the broader development system must step up its efforts to provide longer-term solutions that alleviate the underlying causes of need. This way we can support people in urgent need today while at the same time reducing long-term aid dependency. 

“At NRC we will continue to prioritise families with the most severe needs, including people who are living in remote areas or who are cut off from support by conflict. We are also working in partnership with other aid organisations to help people get back on their feet, become self-reliant, and end the cycle of aid dependency. 

“We know that with adequate resourcing for both emergency interventions to meet immediate needs and support to disrupt the drivers of need over time, displaced families can build the future they hope for and dream of. We see this through our work around the world. For example in Mozambique, where NRC’s micro-grants have enabled people to start their own businesses, or in Nigeria, where we have helped displaced children catch up on missed learning and get back into formal education, or in Jordan, where we have helped refugees obtain legal documents to be able to access healthcare and other vital services. We see these possibilities in every one of the 40 countries we work in. 

“We must not lose hope. But if we are to empower families living in the midst of terrible crises, it is vital that 2026 sees a revival of global solidarity. Nations, corporations, and citizens must step up to ensure that no one is left behind.”  

Read NRC’s paper on what to do about the widening gap between humanitarian needs and available funding that will result in millions of people off the “humanitarian books”. 

According to the Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO), 239 million people will be in need of humanitarian assistance in 2026. Of these, the UN and humanitarian partners will try to reach 135 million, of which 87 are deemed an immediate priority and face the most urgent needs. The UN and humanitarian partners have asked for 33 billion USD to meet the needs of the 135 million people targeted, while 23 billion is required to meet the most urgent needs (OCHA). 

In 2025, US$ 44 billion was requested – the lowest amount since 2021. As of early December, just 28 per cent ($12 billion is funded (OCHA).  

In June 2025 in acknowledgement of cuts, a ‘hyper-prioritised’ appeal was launched which seeks 29 billion US Dollars to meet the most critical life-saving needs of 114 million people (OCHA).  

Many major donors are cutting foreign aid budgets, which include both humanitarian and development funding. In January, the United States suspended ongoing aid projects to conduct a foreign assistance review, forcing the majority of US-funded humanitarian work to be put on hold and for much of it, eventually, to cease (Devex). In February, the United Kingdom announced it would be cutting Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) from 0.5% to 0.3% of Gross National Income by 2027 (UK Government). In February, the Dutch government also announced a EUR 2.4 billion cut in development aid from 2027 (Government of the Netherlands). The French government announced it would reduce public development assistance by more than EUR 2 billion – close to 40% of its annual funding (RFI). In Germany, the government has radically cut the humanitarian emergency aid budget, by 53%, to about €1 billion for 2025, and is estimated to stay at this level for 2026 (DW).  Swiss, Swedish, and Belgian governments have also announced cuts in aid assistance budgets (Devex, Devex, SwissInfo, Development Today).   

Since the 2025 GHO, there has been a change in how numbers of people in need of humanitarian assistance are calculated. The UN has adopted a narrower definition of “humanitarian needs” than in previous years, to offer what it believes is a more realistic assessment of priorities in light of the widespread cuts to humanitarian funding and in line with the ‘humanitarian reset’. This comes on top of a similar exercise conducted for the 2025 GHO. It is important to be aware that the lower people in need figure compared to last year (239 million now vs 305 million last year) does not mean that humanitarian needs have decreased– on the contrary, in many places the situation has worsened significantly. 

For information or to arrange an interview, please contact:  

NRC’s global media hotline: media@nrc.no, +47 905 62 329   

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Note: The European Centre for Socio-Economic, Technological and Environmental Research has announced the conference “Rebuilding Multilateralism: Europe’s Role in UN Reform.” The conference on 3 December, 2025, in Brussels is a high-level dialogue on the urgent need for a renewed multilateral order and the pivotal role the European Union can play in shaping UN reform.

The event gathers MEPs, UN experts, diplomats, and civil society representatives to rethink the architecture of global governance and launch a call to action for a more just, inclusive and effective multilateral system.

The streaming link will be sent to the registered email one day prior to the event, to the email address provided in this form.
Institutional greetings: Marco Tarquinio, MEP (S&D), Nicola Zingaretti, Head of the S&D Delegation
Moderated by: Alfonso Scarano, Vice-President of CERSTE – European Centre for Socio-Economic, Technological and Environmental Research

With:
Pasquale Ferrara, H.E. Ambassador, Director General for Political and Security Affairs;
Luigi Ferrajoli, Jurist and legal philosopher;
Wamuyu Wachira, Co-President of Pax Christi International;
Martha Inés Romero, Secretary General of Pax Christi International;
Franco Dinelli, Center for Socio-Economic Studies – Pax Christi;
Alfonso Zardi, Council of Europe;
Ghislain Le Ray, Co-representative of Pax Christi International to UNESCO.

Registration: https://forms.gle/w8yduZFKJbQ6LDHm7

MANIFESTO FOR A NEW CENTRALITY OF THE UNITED NATIONS AND FOR AUTHENTIC MULTILATERALISM

The United Nations (UN), born from the ashes of two world wars, was conceived as the universal forum for peace and cooperation. Today, however, its capacity to act as an impartial and universal body is being tested by disproportionate power dynamics, economic pressures, and limitations in the full representation of all peoples and States.

Current geopolitical tensions have exposed structural weaknesses: the use of the veto, the overwhelming influence of certain global actors, and the marginalisation of delegations and communities that do not yet enjoy full international recognition all constitute obstacles to the UN’s original mission. These economic and political pressures undermine the independence of the Organisation, transforming it from a neutral arbiter into a stage for asymmetric geopolitical interests. To restore its legitimacy and centrality, the UN must demonstrate that it is truly a multilateral institution, a place of dialogue and protection for the most vulnerable.

The European Union (EU), born from a commitment to peace and cooperation among historically divided peoples and founded on the principles of cooperation, law, and multilateralism, has the opportunity to assume a proactive and responsible role in renewing global multilateralism. The EU can leverage its economic weight and diplomatic network to push for reform of the Security Council and for greater respect for international law, acting as a bridge between different delegations and promoting the inclusion of weaker voices.

In this context, consideration of a possible transfer of the UN headquarters to Strasbourg could represent a step toward genuinely multipolar governance, rooted in a territory that symbolises reconciliation and European cooperation. Hosting the UN in Strasbourg could instill in the Organisation a renewed sense of neutrality and universality, in a city already devoted to institutional dialogue and peacebuilding.
A truly multilateral vision requires coherence between principles and practice.
To support the construction of a more just and peaceful international order, the European Union itself is called to a renewed commitment to institutional sobriety and responsibility in the use of common resources.

The presence of multiple institutional seats — Brussels, Strasbourg, Luxembourg — has historically represented the Union’s pluralism and the value of European reconciliation. However, it also carries significant costs and operational complexities that today challenge Europe’s political and moral conscience. In the context of a potential reflection on hosting the United Nations in Strasbourg, it becomes even more essential for the European Union to provide a credible example of good governance by promoting: greater harmonisation of institutional seats, considering forms of simplification and reduction of periodic travel, so as to strengthen Strasbourg’s role as a symbol of peace and international dialogue;
a more transparent and responsible use of public resources, decisively directing funds toward human and global priorities such as cooperation, development, peacebuilding, and the promotion of the inviolable rights of individuals and peoples.

Only by choosing the path of coherence, sobriety, and shared responsibility can Europe offer credible leadership and become an inspiring force for UN reform that ensures dignity, fairness, and inclusiveness for all nations.

Peace is not affirmed solely through treaties and institutions.
Peace takes root in justice, grows through transparency, and flourishes where institutions become living signs of fraternity among peoples.

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Jakarta (Indonesia) is now the world’s most populous city, with nearly 42 million residents, followed by Dhaka (Bangladesh) with almost 40 million, and Tokyo (Japan) with 33 million – UN Press Release

New York, 18 November 2025 – The world is becoming increasingly urban, with cities now home to 45 per cent of the global population of 8.2 billion, according to the World Urbanization Prospects 2025: Summary of Results, released today by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). The number of people living in cities has more than doubled since 1950, when only 20 per cent of the world’s 2.5 billion people lived in cities. Looking ahead through 2050, two-thirds of global population growth is projected to occur in cities, and most of the remaining one-third in towns.

The number of megacities, urban areas with 10 million or more inhabitants, has quadrupled from 8 in 1975 to 33 in 2025. Over half of these (19) are in Asia.

Jakarta (Indonesia) is now the world’s most populous city, with nearly 42 million residents, followed by Dhaka (Bangladesh) with almost 40 million, and Tokyo (Japan) with 33 million. Cairo (Egypt) is the only non-Asian city among the top ten. By 2050, the number of megacities is expected to rise to 37, with cities such as Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Dar es Salaam (United Republic of Tanzania), Hajipur (India), and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) projected to surpass the 10 million mark.

Despite the prominence of megacities, the report finds that small and medium-sized cities are home to more people than megacities and are growing at a faster pace, particularly in Africa and Asia. Of the 12,000 cities analyzed, 96 per cent have fewer than one million inhabitants, and 81 per cent have fewer than 250,000. The new data show that the total number of cities worldwide more than doubled between 1975 and 2025, and projections indicate that by 2050, the number of cities worldwide could exceed 15,000, with most having populations below 250,000.

The report also highlights the divergent growth patterns of cities. While many cities continue to expand, others are experiencing population decline. Notably, some city populations are shrinking even as their countries’ populations grow, while others are growing despite the decline of the national population. Most shrinking cities had fewer than 250,000 inhabitants in 2025, with over one-third located in China and 17 per cent in India. However, some very large cities, including Mexico City (Mexico) and Chengdu (China), have also seen population decreases.

Towns, defined as population clusters of at least 5,000 inhabitants and a density of at least 300 people per square kilometer, are the most common settlement type in 71 countries as diverse as Germany, India, Uganda, and the United States. They play a vital role in connecting rural areas and cities, offering essential services and supporting local economies.

Rural areas remain the most common settlement type in 62 countries today, down from 116 in 1975. By 2050, this number is projected to decline further to 44 countries. Rural settlements still dominate in some countries in Europe including Austria, Bulgaria, Finland, and Romania, as well as in numerous countries in sub-Saharan Africa, such as the Central African Republic, Chad, Eswatini, Mozambique and Zambia, among others. Sub-Saharan Africa is the only region where rural populations have continued to grow significantly, and the region is expected to account for nearly all future rural population growth.

“As governments convene at COP30 to advance global climate commitments, the United Nations underscores the pivotal role of urbanization in driving sustainable development and climate resilience across all settlement types,” said Li Junhua, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. “Urbanization is a defining force of our time. When managed inclusively and strategically, it can unlock transformative pathways for climate action, economic growth, and social equity. To achieve balanced territorial development, countries must adopt integrated national policies that align housing, land use, mobility, and public services across urban and rural areas.”

The World Urbanization Prospects 2025: Summary of Results provides a critical evidence base for policymakers, planners, and researchers working to shape sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban futures. This edition also introduces major methodological innovations. For the first time, it integrates the Degree of Urbanization, a harmonized geospatial approach that provides projections for three categories of settlements: cities, towns, and rural areas. This new approach enhances international comparability and offers a more nuanced understanding of urbanization trends.

The 2025 revision also significantly expands geographic coverage. The minimum population threshold for cities has been lowered from 300,000 to 50,000 inhabitants, resulting in an increase in the number of cities analyzed to over 12,000. In addition to population estimates, this new grid-based approach provides land area and built-up area data for each settlement type, offering a more comprehensive view of urban development.

All materials related to the World Urbanization Prospects 2025, including the summary report and the complete dataset, are available at population.un.org.

Hashtag: #WorldUrbanizationReport, #UNpopulation

Media Contacts:

Alexandra del Castello |UN Department of Global Communications | E: alexandra.delcastello@un.org 
Helen Daun Rosengren |UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs | E: rosengrenh@un.org   
Karoline Schmid | UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs | E: schmidk@un.org

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Note: The World Health Organization (WHO) and Brazil have issued special reports on the deadly impact of climate change on humans worldwide at the 30^th UN climate summit in Belem, Brazil. They urge swift action on the Belém Health Action Plan. Following is a news release.

Belém/Geneva, 14 November 2025 – Climate change is already driving a global health emergency, with over 540,000 people dying from extreme heat each year and 1 in 12 hospitals worldwide at risk of climate-related shutdowns, warns a new special report, released today jointly by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Government of Brazil (COP30 Presidency) and the Brazilian Ministry of Health.

The COP30 Special report on health and climate change: delivering the Belém Health Action Plan, notes that rising temperatures and collapsing health systems are claiming more lives, and calls for immediate and coordinated action to protect health in a rapidly warming world. It follows the launch of the Belém Health Action Plan, a flagship initiative of Brazil’s COP 30 Presidency, unveiled on the dedicated Health Day of COP30 – 13 November 2025.

“The climate crisis is a health crisis – not in the distant future, but here and now,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This special report provides evidence on the impact of climate change on individuals and health systems, and real-world examples of what countries can do – and are doing – to protect health and strengthen health systems.”

With global temperatures now exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the world is already experiencing mounting health impacts. The report finds that 3.3 to 3.6 billion people already live in areas highly vulnerable to climate change, and hospitals are facing 41% higher risk of damage from extreme weather-related impact compared to 1990. This underscores the urgent need to strengthen and adapt health systems to protect communities from climate-related shocks.

Without rapid decarbonization, the number of health facilities at risk could double by mid-century, which stresses the critical importance of implementing adaptation measures to safeguard health infrastructure. The health sector itself contributes around 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions and needs rapid transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient systems.

The report identifies persistent gaps that require urgent attention. Only 54% of national health adaptation plans assess risks to health facilities, and fewer than 30% of health adaptation studies consider income, 20% consider gender, and less than 1% include people with disabilities.

“The evidence is clear: protecting health systems is one of the smartest investments any country can make,” said Professor Nick Watts, Chair of the Expert Advisory Group and Director, NUS Centre for Sustainable Medicine. “Allocating just 7% of adaptation finance to health would safeguard billions of people and keep essential services operating during climate shocks – when our patients most need them.”

There is progress being made; between 2015 and 2023, the number of countries with national Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS) doubled to 101, now covering about two-thirds of the global population. However, only 46% of Least Developed Countries and 39% of Small Island Developing States have effective systems in place.

The report’s central message is clear: there is now more than enough evidence to scale up action, today. Cost-effective, high-impact, and no-regret interventions exist for each component of the Belém Health Action Plan.  But adaptation strategies could ultimately fail unless they address the root causes of health inequity – both within health systems and across society.

The report calls on governments to: Integrate health objectives into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs);

Harness the financial savings from decarbonization to fund health adaptation and workforce capacity;

Invest in resilient infrastructure, prioritizing health facilities and essential services; and

Empower communities and local knowledge systems to shape responses that reflect lived realities.

The Government of Brazil also released a companion report, Social participation, climate and health: a special report to support implementation of the Belém Health Action Plan, which focuses on social participation, governance, and community engagement as a critical dimension of the Belém Health Action Plan. The report highlights that climate change poses profound risks to human health, particularly for vulnerable and historically marginalized populations, and that effective adaptation requires the active involvement of communities in designing, implementing, and monitoring health policies.

“By releasing this report, Brazil and WHO reaffirm the importance of COP30 as the COP of Truth. The report provides clear data and evidence that climate change is already directly affecting health systems around the world,” says Dr Alexandre Padilha, Minister of Health, Brazil. “Recent tragedies show that now is the time to implement policies and actions that address the impacts of climate change on health. The Belém Health Action Plan and this report offer countries the tools they need to turn scientific evidence into concrete action.”

Together, the two reports provide complementary pathways for translating the Plan’s objectives into practice – one focused on evidence and implementation, the other on inclusive participation and leadership across societies.

About the Belém Health Action Plan – The Belém Health Action Plan, a flagship outcome of Brazil’s COP 30 Presidency, is structured around two cross cutting principles and concepts: health equity and ‘climate justice’ and leadership and governance on climate and health with social participation.

The Plan also outlines three lines of action for climate-resilient health systems: Surveillance and monitoring, focused on strengthening integrated and climate-informed health surveillance;

Evidence-based policies, strategies and capacity-building, aimed at enhancing the ability of national and local systems to implement effective, equity-driven solutions; and

Innovation, production, and digital health, which promotes research, development, and access to technologies that meet the health needs of diverse populations.

The COP30 special report was prepared under the guidance of an Expert Advisory Group of global public health leaders, chaired by the NUS Centre for Sustainable Medicine and with the leadership of the WHO and the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Drawing on more than 70 case studies from around the world, the report identifies practical interventions already delivering results – from early warning systems and green hospital design to climate-informed health planning and sustainable financing.

Media Contacts:

WHO Media Team: Email: mediainquiries@who.int

PAHO Media Team: Email: mediateam@paho.org

Brazil Media contact: Email: imprensa@saude.gov.br

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Belem, Brazil/New York, 9 November 2025 – Government leaders and civil society organizations as well as climate scientists have begun once again each year the difficult task of convincing nations across the world to switch from fossil fuels to green energy to keep global temperatures at 1.5 degrees Celsius to avert climate disasters as many parts of the world have experienced.

But some of the world’s top carbon polluters failed to send high-ranking government decision makers to attend preliminary discussion of the 30^th climate conference which this year is held at the Amazon city of Belem (10-21 November). The United States under the Trump administration rejected the green energy concept and boycotted the high-level meeting while China and India sent government ministers to the meeting. The three countries are responsible for more than 50 per cent of the world’s heat trapping carbon dioxide from burning of coal, oil and natural gas. President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the 2015 Paris Agreement, which set 1.5 degrees as global temperatures.

“Science tells us it is still possible to keep temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century,” UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told the Belem conference before its official opening on November 10. “Yet, a temporary overshoot above 1.5 degrees, starting, at the latest, in the early 2030s, is now inevitable. But we can manage the scale and duration of that overshoot and bring temperatures back down – if we take serious action now. “

Guterres said countries are required to take deep emissions cuts of 60 per cent by 2035 to stay on track to meeting 1.5. He said the 1.5° C limit remains “a red line for humanity”, calling for rapid emissions cuts, an accelerated phase-out of fossil fuels, and stronger protection of forests and oceans. He pointed out the growing global momentum of the clean energy revolution while investments in renewables have now exceed those in fossil fuels by $800 billion.

“Clean energy is winning in price, performance, and potential,” he said, “but what is still missing is political courage.”

The UN said green energy sources now accounted for 90 per cent of new power capacity last year, while investment in them reached $2 trillion, or $800 billion more than fossil fuels.

“The renewables revolution is here,” Guterres said while pointed out that “To return below 1.5 degrees by century’s end, global emissions must fall by almost half by 2030, reach net zero by 2050, and go net negative afterwards.”

World faces serious climate crisis and damages despite efforts to keep global temperatures low

A UN Environment Program assessment of available new climate pledges under the Paris Agreement finds that “the predicted global temperature rise over the course of this century has only slightly fallen, leaving the world heading for a serious escalation of climate risks and damages.”

UNEP said in its Emissions Gap Report 2025: Off Target, issued before the Belem conference, which finds that global warming projections over this century, are now 2.3-2.5°C, compared to 2.6-2.8°C in last year’s report. Implementing only current policies would lead to up to 2.8°C of warming, compared to 3.1°C last year.

“The report finds that the multi-decadal average of global temperature rise will exceed 1.5°C, at least temporarily. This will be difficult to reverse – requiring faster and bigger additional reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to minimize overshoot, reduce damages to lives and economies, and avoid over-reliance on uncertain carbon dioxide removal methods,” the Nairobi-based UN agency said in a press release.

“Nations have had three attempts to deliver promises made under the Paris Agreement, and each time they have landed off target,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. “While national climate plans have delivered some progress, it is nowhere near fast enough, which is why we still need unprecedented emissions cuts in an increasingly tight window, with an increasingly challenging geopolitical backdrop.”

“But it is still possible – just. Proven solutions already exist. From the rapid growth in cheap renewable energy to tackling methane emissions, we know what needs to be done. Now is the time for countries to go all in and invest in their future with ambitious climate action – action that delivers faster economic growth, better human health, more jobs, energy, security and resilience.” (By J. Tuyet Nguyen)

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