Over 2.3 billion individuals face moderate or severe food insecurity, while 673.2 million suffer from undernourishment, as stated in a global report from UN agencies. zaia news explores hunger and unequal food access throughout the years.
More than 2.3Over a billion people worldwide experience moderate to severe hunger, and 673.2 million are undernourished, as per the 2025 publication "The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World," issued on Monday by six UN organizations, with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) taking the lead.
Since 2022, global food insecurity and hunger have been gradually declining. Nevertheless, an increasing number of individuals can no longer afford nutritious meals — meaning they may be consuming sufficient calories, but the general quality of their diet has worsened. As per the report, this trend is occurring due to rising food prices globally, which frequently exceed the inflation rate of other goods.
These five graphs provide a summary of howThis tendency has evolved over time, reflecting the disparities in access across different regions and highlighting how poverty continues to hinder the availability of a fundamental need: food.
1. Malnutrition was decreasing globally, but then the pandemic arrived.
TThe FAO describes undernourishment as not having sufficient access to food to meet the daily caloric requirements needed for an active and healthy lifestyle — in other words, someone who is undernourished experiences persistent hunger.
Globally, there has been a declining pattern in the rate of malnutritionBetween 2000 and 2019, however, it increased rapidly following the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic and then decreased gradually over the next five years, yet it stayed higher than before the pandemic — but the recovery accelerated from 2023 to 2024.
As per the report, this occurred due to the long-term economic effects of the pandemic, alongside rising food costs, conflicts, and severe weather conditions — factors that particularly impact those already in a vulnerable situation.
2. Although circumstances have enhanced in certain areas, Africa continues to be severely affected.
The More optimistic global developments conceal significant regional disparities. For instance, in Africa, food insecurity was increasing even prior to the pandemic. The continent is now approaching the levels of undernourishment seen in 2002. At present, one out of every five people in Africa suffers from inadequate nutrition.
In contrast, Latin America and Asia have achieved significant progress in combating food insecurity during the last 25 years..
The actual situation in these areas presents a significant difference fromEurope and North America, where undernutrition rates have remained below 2.5% for the last 25 years.
3. Prior to experiencing hunger, there is food insecurity
More than 2.3 billion people around the world experience moderate to severelevels of food insufficiency — which includes the quality, amount, and range of food that is accessible. Ininstances of extreme hunger, individuals might skip meals for multiple days.
Most people who experience moderate to severe food insecurity reside in Asia (1.1 billion), but the highest occurrence is inAfrica (57.9% of the the continent's population. Unlike undernourishment, these levels of food insecurity are also evident in Europe and North America, where 8.4% of people experience moderate to severe food insecurity..
4. Women are more likely to experience food insecurity
Women around the world experience higher levels of food insecurity compared to men.As stated in the report, this occurs due to gender norms and societal expectations that frequently restrict women's ability to obtain resources. For instance, women typically earn less, making it more challenging to afford food in a situation where global food prices are increasing.
Thisgender disparity, while global, is not evenly spread. It is most pronounced in Latin America and the Caribbean, where it stands at approximately 6 percentage points. On different continents, the difference varies between 1 and 2 percentage points..
5. The affordability of food is a significant concern
The inability to purchase healthy food is oftena major contributor to food insecurity. According to FAO, 31.9% of the worldThe population is unable to afford a nutritious diet — meaning they don't have the financial resources to purchase a variety of balanced meals that supply all necessary nutrients, include different food categories, and involve limited intake of items that could harm health, such as highly processed foods.
There are individuals who cannot afford tofood available all over the world, but, similar to other measures, significant inequality remains. In certain African nations, like South Sudan and Madagascar, more than90% of the populatIon cannot afford a nutritious diet. In countries such as Germany, for instance, this percentage is approximately2%.
Edited by: Milan Gagnon
Author: Rodrigo Menegat Schuinski