UN-Habitat: Over 1 billion people live in informal settlements

Infrastructure
  • 19 May, 2026
  • 16:37
UN-Habitat: Over 1 billion people live in informal settlements

More than 1 billion people are currently living in informal settlements, as stated in a message from the Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Anacláudia Rossbach, which was read out on her behalf by UN-Habitat representative Rafael Tuts during WUF13 in Baku.

According to Report, Rossbach said residents of such settlements are disproportionately affected by climate-related threats, while receiving only a minimal share of climate financing.

"This is not a failure of potential, but a failure of governance. The upcoming recommendations must ensure that upgrading strategies integrate climate action with improvements in housing conditions," she said.