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Climate change

Global Hunger on the Rise: UN Warns of Famine and Destabilization

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The world is facing a rising tide of hunger, with 828 million people struggling to access enough food in 2021, a significant increase from the 678 million before the COVID-19 pandemic. Conflict, climate change, and economic shocks are major drivers of food insecurity and malnutrition, exacerbated by growing inequalities. The ongoing war in Ukraine is further disrupting supply chains, pushing up food prices, and threatening global food security.

Key Takeaways:

  • 828 million people lacked access to adequate food in 2021, an increase of 150 million from before the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Conflict, climate change, and economic shocks are the major drivers of food insecurity and malnutrition.
  • The ongoing war in Ukraine is disrupting supply chains, pushing up food prices, and threatening global food security.
  • 2.3 billion people lacked access to adequate food in 2021, with 278 million in Africa, 425 million in Asia, and 56.5 million in Latin America and the Caribbean experiencing hunger.
  • 3.1 billion people could not afford to eat healthy foods in 2020, an increase of 112 million from 2019 due to the economic impact of the pandemic and measures to contain it.
  • The UN urges governments to reallocate resources to the agriculture sector more efficiently and review policies that inhibit access to quality foods at affordable prices.
  • Global hunger may affect more than 670 million people in 2030, far from the zero hunger target, unless transformative change is implemented.

Statistics:

  • 828 million people lacked access to adequate food in 2021.
  • 150 million more people lacked access to adequate food in 2021 compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • 2.3 billion people lacked access to adequate food in 2021.
  • 278 million people affected by hunger in Africa.
  • 425 million people affected by hunger in Asia.
  • 56.5 million people affected by hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean.
  • 3.1 billion people could not afford to eat healthy foods in 2020.
  • 112 million more people could not afford to eat healthy foods in 2020 compared to 2019.
  • 670 million people may be hungry in 2030.

Sources:

  • [State of Food Security and Nutrition report, release on Wednesday]
  • [Qu Dongyu, FAO Director General]
  • [Quoted in the State of Food Security and Nutrition report]
  • [Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General]
  • [Amina Mohammed, QUOTED in the State of Food Security and Nutrition report]
  • [Maximo Torero, FAO chief economist]
  • [David Beasley, World Food Program Executive Director]
  • [Voice of America, copyright 2022]
  • [AllAfrica Global Media, distributed by]

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