List of sovereign states by homeless population

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It is estimated that 140 million people are homeless worldwide. Habitat for Humanity estimated in 2024 that 1.53 billion people around the world live in "inadequate shelter".

Contents

Nigeria and India are the two countries with the largest homeless populations. Nigeria ranks 1st with 25 million homeless people and India takes 2nd place with 18 million homeless people as of 2024.

List

CountryHomeless
(average day)
Data yearHomeless
per 10,000
Main article, other notes
Flag of the Taliban.svg  Afghanistan 800,000202487.6
Flag of Albania.svg  Albania 32,0002024113
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 9,94020242.0
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 122,494202448.0 Homelessness in Australia
Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 19,912202422.3
Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan 57,830202450.7
Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh 5,600,0002024307
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 13,524202411.7
Flag of Benin.svg  Benin 100,0002024106
Flag of Bhutan.svg  Bhutan 0 (claim)20240
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 281,000202413.1Only about 2,000 out of 5,570 municipalities in Brazil count the number of homeless people.
Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso 700,0002024335
Flag of Cambodia.svg  Cambodia 3,00020241.8
Flag of Cameroon.svg  Cameroon 200,000202475.5
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 235,000201462.5 Homelessness in Canada
Flag of the Central African Republic.svg  Central African Republic 28,000202453.8
Flag of Chile.svg  Chile 14,01320247.0
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 1,000,000202419.2 Homelessness in China
Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 662,1462024130
Flag of Costa Rica.svg  Costa Rica 3,38720247.0
Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 2,00020244.9
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 23,830202422.0
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 5,78920249.8 Homelessness in Denmark
Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic 296,5912024270
Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg  DR Congo 1,500,0002024172
Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt 2,700,0002024186 Homelessness in Egypt
Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia 1,06820248.0
Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 600,000202447.4The figure consists of children and teenagers only.
Flag of Finland.svg  Finland 4,11420247.9 Homelessness in Finland
Flag of France.svg  France 330,000202448.7 Homelessness in France
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 262,600202431.4 Homelessness in Germany
Flag of Ghana.svg  Ghana 100,000202432.9
Flag of Greece.svg  Greece 40,000202437.1 Homelessness in Greece
Flag of Grenada.svg  Grenada 6820246.4Homeless in national census seems to mean unsheltered. High variance after hurricanes.
Flag of Guatemala.svg  Guatemala 475,0002024315
Flag of Haiti.svg  Haiti 310,0002024261
Flag of Honduras.svg  Honduras 150,0002024148
Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 6,94420247.2 Homelessness in Hungary
Flag of Iceland.svg  Iceland 349202410.0
Flag of India.svg  India 18,000,0002024126 Homelessness in India
Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia 122,00020244.5 Homelessness in Indonesia
Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 130,000202414.8
Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq 600,0002024544
Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland 13,540202416.0 Homelessness in Ireland
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel 3,47120244.0 Homelessness in Israel
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 96,19720248.4
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 2,82020240.2 Homelessness in Japan [1]
Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan 020240
Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 5,50020240.6
Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 20,09520243.9
Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia 5,644202435.3
Flag of Libya.svg  Libya 40,000202458.1
Flag of Liechtenstein.svg  Liechtenstein 020240
Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania 4,009202414.1
Flag of Luxembourg.svg  Luxembourg 420202437.5
Flag of Mali.svg  Mali 260,0002024157
Flag of Malta.svg  Malta 23620244.6
Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 14,000,00020241,111
Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco 380,0002024100
Flag of Mozambique.svg  Mozambique 640,0002024189
Flag of Myanmar.svg  Myanmar 1,500,0002024275
Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 2,500,0002024809
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 32,000202418.0 Homelessness in the Netherlands
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 102,1232024217 Homelessness in New Zealand
Flag of Niger.svg  Niger 36,000202418.6
Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 25,000,0002024206Internally displaced, per IDMC.
Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 3,32520246.2
Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan 3,000,0002024331
Flag of Peru.svg  Peru 700,0002024223
Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines 4,500,0002024424 Street children in the Philippines
Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 30,33020248.0
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 9,60420248.0 Homelessness in Portugal
Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 2,97620247.0
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 11,28520240.8 Homelessness in Russia
Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia 20,000202428.5
Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore 1,03620241.9
Flag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia 10,661202419.5
Flag of Slovenia.svg  Slovenia 1,04720245.0
Flag of Somalia.svg  Somalia 1,400,0002024772
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 55,71920249.0 Homelessness in South Africa
Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 8,98620241.7
Flag of South Sudan.svg  South Sudan 32,000202429.8
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 28,55220248.6 Homelessness in Spain
Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka 800,0002024361
Flag of Sudan.svg  Sudan 3,000,0002024624
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 33,269202436.0 Homelessness in Sweden
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland 2,20020242.5 Homelessness in Switzerland
Flag of Syria.svg  Syria 5,300,00020242,302
Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand 2,49920240.3
Flag of Togo.svg  Togo 15,000202417.4
Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey 1,500,0002024176
Flag of Uganda.svg  Uganda 4,016,98020241,125
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 20,00020245.4
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 380,000202456.1 Homelessness in the United Kingdom
Flag of the United States.svg  United States 650,000202419.5 Homelessness in the United States
Flag of the Vatican City (2023-present).svg  Vatican City State 020240A shelter supported by the Holy See accommodates up to 30 homeless people in Rome. [2]
Flag of Yemen.svg  Yemen 300,000202492.9
Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia 400,0002024194
Flag of Zimbabwe.svg  Zimbabwe 1,200,0002024848

Dependent territories

Statistics on homelessness (and other social issues) in dependent territories are often integrated into those for the nation-states to which they are related. However, territories with significant populations often compile their statistics or generate news on homelessness. For example, in Hong Kong in 2017, media reports indicated that 1,800 people were homeless, with the problem mainly attributed to high costs of living. [3]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hong Kong</span> Special administrative region of China

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demographics of Hong Kong</span>

Demographic features of the population of Hong Kong include population density, ethnicity, education level, the health of the populace, religious affiliations, and other aspects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Economy of Hong Kong</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Megacity</span> Metropolitan area with a total population in excess of ten million people

A megacity is a very large city, typically with a population of more than 10 million people. The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs in its 2018 "World Urbanization Prospects" report defines megacities as urban agglomerations with over 10 million inhabitants. A University of Bonn report holds that they are "usually defined as metropolitan areas with a total population of 10 million or more people". Elsewhere in other sources, from five to eight million is considered the minimum threshold, alongside a population density of at least 2,000 per square kilometre. The terms conurbation, metropolis, and metroplex are also applied to the latter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">English-speaking world</span> Regions where English is used

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Homeless shelter</span> Service agency that provides temporary residence for homeless people

Homeless shelters are a type of homeless service agency which provide temporary residence for homeless individuals and families. Shelters exist to provide residents with safety and protection from exposure to the weather while simultaneously reducing the environmental impact on the community. They are similar to, but distinguishable from, various types of emergency shelters, which are typically operated for specific circumstances and populations—fleeing natural disasters or abusive social circumstances. Extreme weather conditions create problems similar to disaster management scenarios, and are handled with warming centers, which typically operate for short durations during adverse weather.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flophouse</span> Place with cheap lodging

A flophouse or doss-house is a place that offers very low-cost lodging, providing space to sleep and minimal amenities.

A runaway is a minor or a person under a specified age who has left their parents or legal guardians without permission.

Income in India discusses the financial state in India. With rising economic growth and prosperity, India's income is also rising rapidly. As an overview, India's per capita net national income or NNI was around Rs. 98,374 in 2022-23. The per-capita income is a crude indicator of the prosperity of a country. In contrast, the gross national income at constant prices stood at over 128 trillion rupees. The same year, GRI growth rate at constant prices was around 6.6 percent. While GNI and NNI are both indicators for a country's economic performance and welfare, the GNI is related to the GDP or the Gross Domestic Product plus the net receipts from abroad, including wages and salaries, property income, net taxes and subsidies receivable from abroad. On the other hand, the NNI of a country is equal to its GNI net of depreciation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1937 Hong Kong typhoon</span> Pacific typhoon in 1937

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The British diaspora consists of people of English, Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish, Cornish, Manx and Channel Islands ancestral descent who live outside of the United Kingdom and its Crown Dependencies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Homelessness</span> Lacking stable, safe, functional housing

Homelessness or houselessness – also known as a state of being unhoused or unsheltered – is the condition of lacking stable, safe, and functional housing. The general category includes disparate situations, such as living on the streets, moving between temporary accommodation such as family or friends, living in boarding houses with no security of tenure, and people who leave their domiciles because of civil conflict and are refugees within their country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Homelessness in India</span> Major social issue in India

Homelessness is a major issue in India. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights defines 'homeless' as those who do not live in a regular residence. The United Nations Economic and Social Council Statement has a broader definition for homelessness; it defines homelessness as follows: ‘When we are talking about housing, we are not just talking about four walls and a roof. The right to adequate housing is about security of tenure, affordability, access to services and cultural adequacy. It is about protection from forced eviction and displacement, fighting homelessness, poverty and exclusion. India defines 'homeless' as those who do not live in Census houses, but rather stay on pavements, roadsides, railway platforms, staircases, temples, streets, in pipes, or other open spaces. There are 1.77 million homeless people in India, or 0.15% of the country's total population, according to the 2011 census consisting of single men, women, mothers, the elderly, and the disabled. However, it is argued that the numbers are far greater than accounted by the point in time method. For example, while the Census of 2011 counted 46,724 homeless individuals in Delhi, the Indo-Global Social Service Society counted them to be 88,410, and another organization called the Delhi Development Authority counted them to be 150,000. Furthermore, there is a high proportion of mentally ill and street children in the homeless population. There are 18 million street children in India, the largest number of any country in the world, with 11 million being urban. Finally, more than three million men and women are homeless in India's capital city of New Delhi; the same population in Canada would make up approximately 30 electoral districts. A family of four members has an average of five homeless generations in India.

Transitional housing is temporary housing for certain segments of the homeless population, including working homeless people who are earning too little money to afford long-term housing. Transitional housing is set up to transition residents into permanent, affordable housing. It is not in an emergency homeless shelter, but usually a room or apartment in a residence with support services.

Homelessness in New Zealand has been linked to the general issue of lack of suitable housing. The homeless population is generally measured through the country's census and by universities and other academic centres. In 2009, urban homelessness were estimated at less than 300, while rural homelessness was estimated between 500 and 1000. An additional 8,000–20,000 live in "temporary accommodation unsuited for long-term habitation ." Homelessness in New Zealand has traditionally been reduced by the provision of state housing, similar to Germany and other developed countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Family homelessness</span> Socioeconomic phenomenon

Family homelessness refers to a family unit who do not have access to long term accommodation due to various circumstances such as socioeconomic status, access to resources and relationship breakdowns. In some Western countries, such as the United States, family homelessness is a new form of poverty, and a fast growing group of the homelessness population. Some American researchers argue that family homelessness is the inevitable result of imbalanced “low-income housing ratio” where there are more low-income households than there are low-cost housing units. A study in 2018 projected a total of 56,342 family households were recognized as homeless. Roughly 16,390 of these people were living in a place not meant for human habitation. It is believed that homeless families make up about a third of the United States’ population, with generally women being the lead of the household.

Homelessness in Germany is a significant social issue, one that is estimated to affect around 678,000 people. This figure includes about 372,000 people that are accommodated by public services, e.g. by the municipalities. Since 2014, there has been a 150% increase in the homeless population within the country. Reportedly, around 22,000 of the homeless population are children.

References

  1. "Number of homeless in Japan hits record low". 26 April 2024.
  2. "Pope Francis To Open 30-Bed Homeless Shelter Steps From Vatican Walls". 11 June 2015.
  3. Ma, Wyman; Lee, Chermaine (2018-01-26). "Homeless in Hong Kong: soaring costs fuel housing crisis in Asian financial hub". Reuters. Retrieved 2021-08-07.