Global Hunger Declines Yet Remains Above Pre-COVID Levels: UN Report

A recent report by the United Nations, titled the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, reveals that while global hunger is declining, a significant number of individuals continue to suffer from food insecurity. The report estimates that approximately 645 million people experienced hunger in 2025, a reduction of 14 million from 2024 and a decrease of 43 million compared to 2022. Despite these improvements, hunger levels are still above those recorded in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report highlights that 7.8 percent of the global population faced hunger in 2025, down from 8.1 percent in 2024 and 8.6 percent in 2022. This marks the third consecutive year of decline following a surge in hunger during the pandemic. Notably, Africa remains the most heavily affected continent, with an estimated 309 million people undernourished, accounting for one in five individuals and nearly half of the world's hungry population.

By comparison, 292 million people in Asia, which is about 6 percent of its population, and 32 million in Latin America and the Caribbean, representing 4.8 percent, are facing undernourishment. The report indicates that while Asia and Latin America have made significant strides in reducing hunger, the overall trend in Africa appears to have stalled. The prevalence of hunger in Africa has slightly decreased from 20.3 percent in 2024 to 20 percent in 2025, but the overall number of undernourished individuals continues to rise due to population growth.

Looking ahead, the United Nations projects that the global tally of undernourished individuals could fall by about 20 percent by 2030. However, even with this projection, it is estimated that between 510 million to 520 million people will still face hunger by the end of the decade, with 56 percent residing in Africa.

The report also cautioned that ongoing crises, including conflicts such as the recent US-Israel war on Iran, could potentially hinder progress, particularly affecting regions like Africa and Asia. According to the findings, the number of people unable to afford a healthy diet has decreased from 2.97 billion in 2021, which represented 37.4 percent of the global population, to 2.69 billion in 2025, or 32.7 percent.

This decline suggests an improvement in average income for food against the backdrop of rising healthy diet costs. The reported cost of a healthy diet reached $4.28 per day in 2025, a rise from $3.44 in 2021 and $2.94 in 2017. Despite significant global progress, affordability remains a substantial challenge, especially in Africa and Asia. Asia has the highest number of individuals unable to afford a nutritious diet at 1.4 billion, comprising 29 percent of its population. Conversely, Africa has the highest rate, with 1.03 billion people or nearly two-thirds of its population unable to access healthy food. In Latin America and the Caribbean, around 172 million individuals lack access, accounting for 26 percent of its population, relative to 77.5 million in Europe and North America, or 7 percent, and 2.3 million in Oceania, representing 5 percent.

The report emphasises ongoing inequalities in access to nutritious food across different regions. Notably, while the number of individuals unable to afford healthy diets has declined in Asia, it has increased in Africa from 2021 levels. Definitions for a healthy diet basket, as per the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Bank, include the least costly combination of locally available foods that satisfy daily energy requirements and deliver essential nutrients. This basket comprises 11 items from six food groups, providing approximately 2,330 kilocalories per individual per day, while ensuring diversity for adequate nutrition.

Despite these reported improvements in global hunger, millions in the Global South are still facing severe food shortages due to various factors, including conflict and climate change. A separate report from the FAO and the World Food Programme, the Global Report on Food Crises 2026, estimates that about 1.4 million people globally are experiencing catastrophic hunger, indicating a dire need for immediate intervention. This report categorises food security severity into phases, from Phase 1 (minimal) to Phase 5 (catastrophe or famine).

Currently, Gaza records the highest number of individuals facing catastrophic hunger, approximately 640,700 people, representing 32 percent of the enclave's population. The situation in Gaza has been exacerbated by the recent conflict and the restrictions imposed on humanitarian aid by the Israeli military. As Maram Humaid, an Al Jazeera reporter in Gaza states, while markets have improved their supplies compared to the previous year, many families still struggle to afford sufficient food due to crippling economic conditions. Additionally, the closure of community kitchens has further worsened the crisis, as many relied on these kitchens for essential meals.

Sudan is close behind Gaza, with 637,200 people in catastrophic hunger, which constitutes approximately 1 percent of the country's population. Other nations experiencing extreme hunger include South Sudan (83,500 individuals), Yemen (41,200), Haiti (8,400), and Mali (2,600). The ongoing food crises highlight the pressing need for global attention and action to address food insecurity and nutritional deficiencies for millions worldwide.