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Food supply

Global Hunger Levels Decline for Second Consecutive Year, Says UN Report

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The latest United Nations report on food security, released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Program (WFP), and the World Health Organization (WHO), indicates that global hunger levels declined by 15 million people in 2024 compared to the previous year. Despite this progress, hunger continues to rise in parts of Africa and Western Asia due to ongoing food crises and inflationary pressures.

Key Takeaways:

  • The number of people experiencing hunger globally decreased from 8.5% in 2023 to 8.2% in 2024, representing a decline of 15 million people.
  • The improvement was largely driven by progress in South-East Asia, Southern Asia, and South America.
  • Hunger trends in most sub-regions of Africa and Western Asia worsened, particularly in countries facing prolonged conflict, displacement, or economic instability.
  • Food price inflation was cited as a major obstacle to achieving global food security and nutrition targets.
  • Approximately 2.60 billion people, or 31.9% of the global population, were unable to afford a healthy diet in 2024.
  • In low-income nations, the number of people unable to afford a healthy diet rose from 464 million in 2019 to 545 million in 2024.
  • The report cautioned that the international community remains "far off track" from achieving the 2030 goal of eradicating hunger.
  • Structural challenges, including conflict, climate change, inflation, and inequality, continue to impede progress toward resilient and inclusive food systems.

Statistics:

  • 638 million to 720 million people experienced hunger in 2024, representing 8.2% of the global population.
  • 15 million fewer people were affected by hunger in 2024 compared to 2023.
  • 31.9% of the global population, or 2.60 billion people, were unable to afford a healthy diet in 2024.
  • 464 million people in low-income nations were unable to afford a healthy diet in 2019.
  • 545 million people in low-income nations were unable to afford a healthy diet in 2024.

Sources:

  • The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2025 edition, released by the FAO, WFP, and WHO.
  • "2019-2024 trends in unpaid R&D work in the world" - Development Prospect.
  • United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.
  • World Food Program.
  • World Health Organization.

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