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Homelessness by Country 2024

The problem of homelessness knows no barriers and countries all over the world struggle to combat this awful problem. The chart below not only highlights the sheer size and scope of the homelessness issue, it also reveals that the problem is truly in virtually every town, city, state, and territory around the globe.

Here is a look at those daunting numbers and the reach of homelessness all over the world. While some of this data may be estimated, it doesn't deter us from the fact that the problem of homelessness is real, and it is considerable.

India

One of the largest issues in India is homelessness. India is one of the two most populated countries in the world, with a natural birth rate that is much higher than China, which holds the record for the highest population in the world. Homelessness is often described at face value, that is, those who do not have an abode to call home. However, homelessness is a much larger issue that plagues India and the rest of the world. Of course, it is not enough just to have a few walls and a roof, as anything can be made into a quick shelter for emergencies. Having a home should be an adequate abode that provides the proper heating and cooling for the residents, as well as access to essential and some other needed services.

Homelessness in India is largely due to poverty, which is exacerbated by its large population. Many Indians choose to work overseas or even migrate outside of the country to look for any job opportunities that may be present, as there is a huge issue of unemployment in the country. This has created a stereotype for Indian freelancers, who are looking to work at any job that they can find. In reality, this displays the root issue, which is equal access to resources, currency, and shelter within the country.

Nigeria

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, and this presents an epidemic of homelessness throughout the nation. Approximately 4.5 million people are considered homeless, with many more not having appropriate access to a proper dwelling that has access to some of the most basic services. With this being said, Nigeria is not as deep in poverty as others may think, as there are a lot of resources contained within the country. Much of the issue is due to access to wealth, which is often exploited by other countries or even their state.

Furthermore, because of its large size, Nigerians experience a huge influx of both immigration and emigration, which changes the ownership of houses frequently. As a result, natural gentrification occurs at an accelerated rate, with investors looking to build more elaborate and expensive houses to procure a higher rental income or to flip into a more profitable business venture. With this being said, Nigeria also has a lot of land for sale, so philanthropic and charitable organizations could take advantage of this to create a more acceptable situation.

United States

While it is considered the leader of the world stage, the United States still has one of the biggest problems with homelessness, even when compared to more impoverished countries. With a homeless population per night of over half a million souls, the numbers are concerning. The volume of homeless increases every year, with many more living in makeshift tents and other dwellings that do little more than offer some brief respite from the harsh outdoor conditions, such as at nighttime or during the winter.

Notes:
- Data taken from multiple sources, dated 2010-2024

Download Table Data

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Country
Homeless
Pakistan8,000,000
Bangladesh5,000,000
Afghanistan4,660,000
Nigeria4,500,000
Philippines4,500,000
Yemen3,858,000
Somalia2,968,000
Sudan2,730,000
China2,579,000
Egypt2,000,000
India1,770,000
South Sudan1,542,000
DR Congo1,500,000
Iraq1,224,000
Zimbabwe1,200,000
Cameroon1,033,000
Mozambique769,000
Azerbaijan735,000
Ukraine734,240
Peru700,000
Burkina Faso700,000
Central African Republic686,200
United States653,104
Ethiopia600,000
Uganda500,000
Guatemala475,000
United Kingdom380,000
Chad342,680
Mali332,700
France330,000
Georgia304,010
Brazil281,000
Libya278,000
Germany262,600
Canada235,000
South Africa200,000
Vietnam162,000
Honduras150,000
Australia122,494
Indonesia122,000
New Zealand102,123
Ghana100,000
Italy96,197
Turkey70,000
Mexico40,911
Syria40,500
Greece40,000
Haiti37,867
Sweden33,269
Netherlands32,000
Albania32,000
Poland30,330
Hungary30,000
Spain28,552
Czech Republic23,830
Austria22,580
Kenya20,095
Serbia20,000
Iran15,000
Togo15,000
Chile14,013
Belgium13,524
Colombia13,252
Ireland11,632
South Korea11,340
Russia11,285
Slovakia10,661
Portugal9,604
Denmark5,789
Latvia5,644
Kazakhstan5,500
Finland4,114
Lithuania4,009
Israel3,471
Costa Rica3,387
Norway3,325
Japan3,065
Romania2,976
Thailand2,700
Switzerland2,200
Croatia2,000
Hong Kong1,800
Estonia1,068
Slovenia1,047
Singapore1,036
Luxembourg420
Iceland349
Malta236
Ivory Coast117
Grenada68
showing: 90 rows

Which country has the highest rate of homelessness?

Pakistan has approximately 8,000,000 homeless people, the most of any country in the world.

Which country has the lowest rate of homelessness?

Vatican City has zero homeless people. Bhutan, Jordan, and Liechtenstein have claimed to have zero homeless at various times. Among countries with documented homeless populations, Grenada had only 68 homeless people in 2023, the fewest in the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

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