Story perspectives

Rising Debt Threatens 22 Million Women’s Jobs, Calls for Gender Safeguards

5/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

UNDP reported rising sovereign debt threatens millions of women’s jobs in developing countries.
Debt-servicing burdens in 85 nations almost doubled from early 2010s to 2022, causing a loss of 22 million women’s jobs and 38 million long-term.
Debt levels cut women’s per-capita income by 17 percent, leave men’s income flat, and raise maternal mortality by 32.5 percent.
UNDP Administrator Alexander De Croo urged creditors to link debt relief to safeguards that protect gender-focused social spending.

1 of 1

Story summary

UNDP reported rising sovereign debt threatens millions of women’s jobs in developing countries.
Debt-servicing burdens in 85 nations almost doubled from early 2010s to 2022, causing a loss of 22 million women’s jobs and 38 million long-term.
Debt levels cut women’s per-capita income by 17 percent, leave men’s income flat, and raise maternal mortality by 32.5 percent.
UNDP Administrator Alexander De Croo urged creditors to link debt relief to safeguards that protect gender-focused social spending.