In a critical reflection on global hunger and malnutrition, The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025 — jointly produced by FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO — explores how persistent food price inflation is undermining progress toward ending hunger and ensuring access to nutritious diets. The report underscores the urgent need for policy shifts to address the affordability crisis and build resilient food systems capable of withstanding economic and climate shocks.
Key Insights from the 2025 Report
Global Hunger Remains Alarmingly High
In 2024, an estimated 735 million people faced chronic hunger, with Africa continuing to experience the highest levels of undernourishment. Despite global efforts, progress toward SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) remains off track.
Food Price Inflation Threatens Nutritional Gains
High food price inflation—especially in low- and middle-income countries—has made healthy diets increasingly unaffordable, pushing millions into food insecurity. In 2024, over 3.1 billion people could not afford a healthy diet.
Children and Women Bear the Brunt
Child wasting and stunting persist at troubling rates, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected areas. Anaemia among women of reproductive age remains a major concern, affecting nearly 1 in 3 women globally.
Economic Resilience and Social Protection Are Critical
The report stresses that safety nets, income support, and price stabilization policies are key to mitigating the impact of inflation. Countries with robust social protection systems were better able to shield their populations from hunger and malnutrition in 2024.
Transforming Food Systems Remains Urgent
Structural reforms to food systems—through inclusive value chains, climate-resilient agriculture, and public investment in nutrition-sensitive policies—are needed to address root causes and support sustainable access to nutritious food for all.
