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Food supply

295 Million People Experience Acute Hunger, 2020-2025 Global Food Crises Report Shows

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

According to the 2025 Global Report on Food Crises, led by the Food Security Information Network (FSIN), 295 million people worldwide are now experiencing acute hunger, double the number from 2020. This marks the sixth consecutive annual increase, with hunger no longer just a byproduct of conflict but increasingly being used as a weapon. The report highlights the "three lethal Cs" - Cuts, Conflict, and Climate - that have fueled the highest number of people experiencing severe food insecurity. Meanwhile, major donor governments continue to reduce aid budgets while increasing military spending and tax breaks for billionaires.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 2025 Global Report on Food Crises records 295 million people experiencing acute hunger worldwide, a 100% increase from 2020 and the sixth consecutive annual increase.
  • Hunger is increasingly being used as a weapon of war, with 3.2 million people at risk of famine in 50 countries, including Gaza and Sudan.
  • The report attributes the rising hunger to the "three lethal Cs": Cuts (reduced aid budgets), Conflict (protracted wars), and Climate (extreme weather events).
  • Major donor governments continue to prioritize military spending and tax breaks for billionaires over aid for the hungry, with the world spending more on bombs than bread.
  • The richest 1% of the global population control 39% of global wealth, while the poorest 50% control just 1%.
  • International Humanitarian Law must be upheld, and those using starvation as a weapon must be held accountable.

Statistics:

  • 295 million people worldwide are experiencing acute hunger, a 100% increase from 2020.
  • 3.2 million people are at risk of famine in 50 countries.
  • The "three lethal Cs" account for 85% of anomalies in food insecurity, according to the report.
  • Global military spending surpassed $2 trillion in 2020, while aid for the hungry continues to decline.
  • The world spends $1.5 billion on agricultural subsidies for the rich, while only $12 billion is spent on food aid for the poor.

Sources:

  • Oxfam -- Today's "2025 Global Report on Food Crises"
  • Food Security Information Network (FSIN)
  • Emily Farr, Oxfam Global Food and Economic Security Lead

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