Global Hunger Decline: Africa & Western Asia Rise – UN Report
Global Food Security Faces Uneven Progress Amidst Rising Costs,Report warns
New York,NY – The global fight against hunger and malnutrition is experiencing a concerningly uneven trajectory,with a significant increase in the number of people unable to afford a healthy diet,especially in low-income countries. The latest State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI 2025) report highlights a stark reality: while global hunger rates have seen a marginal decrease, the escalating cost of healthy food is pushing millions further into food insecurity.
The report reveals a dramatic rise in the number of individuals unable to afford a healthy diet. in low-income countries, this figure surged from 464 million in 2019 to 545 million in 2024. The situation is even more alarming in lower-middle-income countries (excluding India), where the number of people facing this challenge skyrocketed from 79 million in 2019 to a staggering 869 million over the same period. This widening affordability gap underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions.
In response to these challenges, the report outlines a multi-pronged policy approach. Recommendations include the implementation of targeted and time-bound fiscal measures, such as robust social protection programs, to shield vulnerable households from the brunt of rising food prices. Furthermore,the report emphasizes the critical role of credible and transparent monetary policies in curbing inflationary pressures. Strategic investments in agrifood research and advancement, along with improvements in transport and production infrastructure and market information systems, are also deemed essential to bolster productivity and resilience within the food sector.
Leaders from key international organizations have voiced their concerns and called for intensified global action.
FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, stated, “while it is indeed encouraging to see a decrease in the global hunger rate, we must recognize that progress is uneven. SOFI 2025 serves as a critical reminder that we need to intensify efforts to ensure that everyone has access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. To achieve this, we must work collaboratively and innovatively with governments, organizations, and communities to address the specific challenges faced by vulnerable populations, especially in regions where hunger remains persistent.”
Echoing this sentiment, Ifad President, Alvaro Lario, emphasized, “In times of rising food prices and disrupted global value chains, we must step up our investments in rural and agricultural change. These investments are not only essential for ensuring food and nutrition security – they are also critical for global stability.”
The impact on children is particularly dire. UNICEF executive Director,Catherine Russell, highlighted,”Every child deserves the chance to grow and thrive. Yet over 190 million children under the age of 5 are affected by undernutrition, which can have negative consequences for their physical and mental development. this robs them of the chance to live to their fullest potential. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report for 2025 underscores the need to act urgently for the world’s youngest and most vulnerable children, as rising food prices could deepen nutrition insecurity for millions of families.We must work in collaboration with governments, the private sector and communities themselves to ensure that vulnerable families have access to food that is affordable and with adequate nutrition for children to develop. That includes strengthening social protection programs and teaching parents about locally produced nutritious food for children, including the importance of breastfeeding, which provides the best start to a baby’s life.”
The funding gap for humanitarian aid is also a significant concern. WFP Executive Director, Cindy McCain, warned, “Hunger remains at alarming levels, yet the funding needed to tackle it is indeed falling. Last year, WFP reached 124 million people with lifesaving food assistance. This year, funding cuts of up to 40 percent mean that tens of millions of people will lose the vital lifeline we provide. While the small reduction in overall rates of food insecurity is welcome, the continued failure to provide critical aid to people in desperate need will soon wipe out these hard-won gains, sparking further instability in volatile regions of the world.”
WHO director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, concluded, “In recent years, the world has made good progress in reducing stunting and supporting exclusive breastfeeding, but there is still much to be done to relieve millions of people from the burdens of food insecurity and malnutrition. This report provides encouraging news, but also shows where the gaps are and who is being left behind, and where we must direct our efforts to ensure that everyone has access to a healthy and nutritious diet.”
The SOFI 2025 report serves as a stark reminder that while progress in global food security is being made, it is indeed fragile and uneven. Addressing the root causes of food price inflation and ensuring equitable access to nutritious food for all remains a paramount challenge for the international community.