Rome/New York, September 27, 2025 – The United Nations issued a sobering update today on the global fight against hunger, revealing that while the number of undernourished people dipped modestly to 673 million in 2024—down by approximately 22 million from 2022 levels—the world remains perilously off-track to eradicate hunger by 2030. The latest State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report, jointly published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), World Food Programme (WFP), and World Health Organization (WHO), underscores a fragile recovery hampered by persistent climate shocks, economic inequalities, and conflict-driven disruptions.
At 8.3% of the global population, the 673 million figure marks the second consecutive year of slight progress after hunger levels plateaued alarmingly for three years post-COVID-19. However, experts warn that without accelerated interventions, projections could see hunger affecting 512 million people by 2030—nearly 60% of them in Africa—reversing any gains and deepening a humanitarian crisis comparable to setbacks seen in the late 2000s.
"The modest decline is a flicker of hope, but it's far too little, far too late," said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu during the report's virtual launch from Rome. "We are still above pre-pandemic levels, with billions unable to afford a healthy diet. Climate extremes and inequality are not abstract threats—they are starving families today. The world must mobilize financing and political will now to transform agrifood systems and ensure no one is left behind."
Key Findings: A Snapshot of Persistent Challenges
The SOFI 2025 report, themed "Food Price Inflation and Its Impacts on Diets and Nutrition," paints a stark picture of uneven recovery. Drawing on data from 160 countries, it highlights:
| Indicator | 2024 Estimate | Change from 2022 | Regional Hotspots |
|-----------|---------------|------------------|-------------------|
| **Undernourishment (Hunger)** | 673 million (8.3% of global population) | ↓ 22 million | Africa: 1 in 5 affected (rising); Western Asia: Increasing |
| **Moderate/Severe Food Insecurity** | 2.3 billion (28.9% of adults) | Stable, but high | Global plateau; worsened in low-income countries |
| **Inability to Afford Healthy Diet** | 2.6 billion | ↓ from 2019 peaks, but up in Africa | Low/middle-income nations (excl. India): Affordability declined |
| **Child Stunting (Chronic Malnutrition)** | 148.1 million under-5s | Slight progress | South Asia/Africa: 40% of cases |
| **Adult Obesity** | 2.5 billion overweight/obese | Rising | Dual burden: Undernutrition + obesity in same households |
The report notes that food price inflation, exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and erratic weather, has driven up the cost of a healthy diet to $3.96 per person daily in 2024—unattainable for over a third of humanity. In Africa, hunger rates continue to climb, with more than 278 million people affected, fueled by droughts, floods, and fragile supply chains.
Drivers of Decline and the Path Forward
The 22-million drop since 2022 is attributed to targeted interventions like WFP's emergency food aid in conflict zones and IFAD's rural investment programs, which have boosted smallholder farmer resilience in Asia and Latin America. Yet, the report lambasts systemic barriers: Climate change alone could push 100 million more into hunger by 2030, while gender inequalities leave women and girls disproportionately vulnerable, comprising 60% of the undernourished in low-income countries.
This year's focus on financing estimates a $267 billion annual gap to meet SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) targets, urging a standardized definition for "food security and nutrition investments" to unlock public, private, and philanthropic funds. Recommendations include:
Scaling Agrifood Transformations: Invest in sustainable farming to cut emissions and enhance yields, with $120 billion needed yearly for climate-resilient agriculture.
Tackling Inequality: Policies to subsidize healthy foods and integrate nutrition into social protection, prioritizing women-led households.
Data and Monitoring Boost: Harmonize global tracking to better target aid, with calls for $50 billion in innovative financing like green bonds.
Country-Level Action: Successful models from Brazil's cash transfers and India's fortified staples show scalable wins, but require $40 billion more in low-income aid.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized in the foreword: "The costs of inaction dwarf any investment. We must bridge the financing gap through bold reforms—reallocating budgets, leveraging private capital, and holding leaders accountable."
Global Reactions and the Road to 2030
The report's release, timed ahead of the UN General Assembly, has sparked urgent calls from world leaders. UN Secretary-General António Guterres tweeted: "733 million went to bed hungry last year—now 673 million. Progress, yes, but not enough. Climate and inequality are devouring our SDGs. Time for radical financing to feed the future." Advocacy groups like Action Against Hunger echoed the plea, warning that without $500 billion in new commitments by COP30, famine risks could surge in 20 hotspots.
In a rare note of optimism, the report highlights successes: Exclusive breastfeeding rates reached 48% globally, up from 44% in 2019, averting malnutrition in millions of infants. Yet, as projections show Africa bearing 60% of future hunger burdens, the onus falls on high-income nations to honor $100 billion annual climate pledges.
As the world grapples with these figures, the SOFI report serves as both indictment and blueprint. With six years until the SDG deadline, the modest decline in hunger is a reminder: Incremental steps won't suffice—transformative, financed action must.
This report is based on the UN's SOFI 2025 publication and official briefings from FAO, WFP, and WHO.
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