Strides made in combating hunger - yet in some regions it still persists
The World Food Report, presented by five UN agencies, has highlighted a concerning trend in global hunger. According to the report, approximately 673 million people worldwide suffered from hunger last year.
The report was presented in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, but unlike its previous edition, it did not state that hunger had decreased in Africa and West Asia, contrary to the global trend. Instead, it revealed that these regions have been hit hard by conflicts, economic instability, climate change, and trade tensions, which have disrupted food systems and driven up food prices.
The report emphasised that low-income countries and communities are disproportionately affected by food price inflation. In Africa alone, over 307 million people faced hunger in 2024, with 20% of the population affected, and in the Middle East, 12.7% (over 39 million) faced hunger during the same period. By 2030, 512 million globally may be chronically undernourished, with nearly 60% living in Africa.
Food price inflation peaked at 30% in some low-income countries, significantly eroding purchasing power and increasing food insecurity. Poorer households spend a larger portion of their income on food, making even small price increases unaffordable. As a result, many people found it difficult to afford food, especially healthier and more nutritious options.
Rising food prices pose a significant challenge in the fight against hunger. Smallholder farmers, common in these regions, are also hurt by rising costs for farming inputs, worsening food access and nutritional outcomes, especially among vulnerable groups such as women and children.
Despite progress in some regions such as South Asia, Southeast Asia, and South America, the report did not provide any new information about the percentage of the world's population that goes hungry, unlike the previous report that stated 8.2 percent of the world's population still goes hungry.
The report serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against hunger and the need for concerted efforts to address the root causes of food insecurity, particularly in Africa and West Asia. Efforts must be made to strengthen food systems, provide support to smallholder farmers, and work towards reducing conflicts, economic instability, and climate change impacts in these regions.
- The World Food Report, presented by five UN agencies, also discusses the impact of food price inflation on health-and-wellness and nutrition, particularly in low-income countries.
- Room for improvement is evident in the arena of food-and-drink and general-news, as the report reveals that many people, especially in Africa and the Middle East, struggle to afford healthier and more nutritious food options.
- As part of efforts to combat global hunger, science and lifestyle changes that leverage sustainable agricultural practices and climate change mitigation strategies will be crucial in securing food security and promoting health-and-wellness for all.
