Global hunger declined for the third consecutive year in 2024, according to a new U.N. report, offering a glimmer of progress amid persistent food insecurity in conflict-hit and climate-affected regions.
The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, jointly produced by five United Nations agencies, found that 673 million people—8.2% of the world’s population—experienced hunger last year. That marks a drop from 8.5% in 2023 and continues a slow retreat from the pandemic-era peak.
The most notable improvements came from South America and Southern Asia, where hunger rates fell to 3.8% and 11% respectively. In South America, the decline was attributed to increased agricultural productivity and social programs such as school meal initiatives. In Southern Asia, the improvement stemmed from new data in India showing greater access to healthy diets.
Maximo Torero, chief economist at the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, cautioned that despite the progress, growing conflicts, rising debt levels, and economic vulnerabilities could reverse gains. “If conflict continues to grow… the numbers will increase again,” Torero warned at a food summit held in Ethiopia.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also addressed the summit, stating, “Conflict continues to drive hunger from Gaza to Sudan and beyond. Hunger further feeds future instability and undermines peace.”
A Divided Global Picture
While some regions made strides, Africa’s hunger crisis deepened. More than one in five people—307 million—on the continent were chronically undernourished in 2024. The report attributes this to population growth, conflict, climate extremes, and high inflation, noting that hunger in Africa is now worse than it was 20 years ago.
By 2030, Africa is projected to represent nearly 60% of the world’s hungry population, underscoring the urgency for targeted solutions in the region.
The report also revealed that the number of people unable to afford a healthy diet dropped globally from 2.76 billion in 2019 to 2.6 billion in 2024, suggesting some improvement in dietary access.
However, the global obesity rate among adults rose to nearly 16% in 2022, up from 12% in 2012, highlighting a growing dual burden of malnutrition in both under- and over-nourished populations.
Although 2024’s hunger levels remain above the pre-pandemic rate of 7.5% recorded in 2019, the continued overall decline is seen as a positive sign—one that experts say must be reinforced by long-term policy, investment in food systems, and conflict resolution to ensure lasting progress.
