State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2024

Summary

The COVID-19 pandemic has escalated global hunger, with levels remaining high for three years. In 2023, hunger persists in many countries, affecting one in eleven people globally and one in five in Africa. While progress stalls, Latin America, particularly South America, shows improvement with 5.4 million fewer hungry people. However, challenges like food insecurity, malnutrition, and obesity loom, underscoring the urgency for innovative financing and equitable solutions to enhance food security and nutrition.

Takeaways

• 📈 Global hunger increased after COVID-19 and remains at high levels over the past 3 years.
• ⚖️ Improvements in hunger levels have been uneven and insufficient, with some regions experiencing continued deterioration.
• 🌍 In 2023, an estimated 713 to 757 million people faced hunger globally, which is about one in every 11 people.
• 🌍 One in five people in Africa experienced hunger in 2023, where the issue continues to rise.
• 📉 Hunger levels have remained relatively unchanged in Asia, while Latin America, particularly South America, saw notable progress with 5.4 million fewer people facing hunger.
• 🍽️ Access to adequate food for all has stalled globally, with 2.3 billion people (29% of the population) being moderately or severely food insecure.
• 🥦 Nutritious food remains unaffordable for over a third of the global population, affecting 2.8 billion people.
• 🧒 Slow progress has been made in reducing stunting, wasting, and promoting exclusive breastfeeding, which are crucial for children's growth and development.
• ⚠️ Rising rates of obesity present significant health challenges across all age groups.
• 💡 Innovative, inclusive, and equitable solutions are needed to scale up financing for food security, improve coordination among stakeholders, and implement more blended and innovative financing solutions.

Q & A

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on global hunger levels?

COVID-19 has led to an increase in global hunger, with levels remaining high and almost unchanged in the past three years.

According to the 'State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World' report, what has been the improvement trend in 2023?

In 2023, improvements have been witnessed only in some regions, with food insecurity and malnutrition continuing to worsen in many countries.

How many people may have faced hunger in 2023 according to new figures?

Between 713.3 and 757 million people may have faced hunger in 2023.

What does the hunger estimate for 2023 represent in terms of global and African population?

The 2023 hunger estimates represent one out of 11 people globally and one out of every five people in Africa.

In which regions has hunger remained relatively unchanged or seen improvement?

Hunger has remained relatively unchanged in Asia, while notable progress has been made in Latin America, particularly in South America.

What is the current status of global food insecurity according to the 2023 figures?

Nearly 29% of the global population, or 2.3 billion people, were moderately or severely food insecure in 2023.

What challenges persist in terms of access to nutritious food globally?

More than one-third of the world's population, approximately 2.8 billion people, are unable to afford healthy diets.

What are the 2030 targets for stunting, wasting, and exclusive breastfeeding, and how is the progress?

The progress on reducing stunting, wasting, and improving exclusive breastfeeding has been too slow to reach the 2030 targets.

What new challenges are emerging in relation to obesity rates?

Rising rates of obesity are foreshadowing major challenges for the health and well-being of all age groups.

What is required to end hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition?

New approaches to financing, innovative, inclusive, and equitable solutions, and enhanced coordination among stakeholders are needed to scale up financing for food security and nutrition.

What specific actions are suggested to improve financing for food security and nutrition?

Actions include better targeting, increasing donor and global partner involvement, and implementing more blended and innovative financing solutions.