A distressing new report reveals that the number of individuals grappling with severe food insecurity has surged alarmingly over the past decade. With 266 million people across 47 nations classified as experiencing a food crisis or worse in 2025, experts warn that ongoing conflicts, climate change, and economic instability could exacerbate these dire conditions in the years to come.
Alarming Increase in Food Insecurity
The latest findings, co-published by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the European Union, indicate that the proportion of the global population facing a “food crisis” has doubled since 2016. What constitutes a food crisis, as defined by the integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), involves households facing substantial food consumption gaps leading to heightened malnutrition rates. The percentage of people in such a precarious position has escalated from 11.3 per cent in 2016 to an alarming 22.9 per cent in 2025.
Cindy McCain, WFP executive director, expressed grave concern: “It’s been a decade since this report shed light on the alarming state of hunger worldwide. Unfortunately, the situation has only worsened. The same countries are caught in a devastating cycle of hunger—fuelled by conflict and compounded by inadequate funding.”
Famine Declared in Sudan and Gaza
In a concerning first, the report categorises both Sudan and Gaza as being in a state of famine last year, highlighting the severity of their crises. The data reveals that the number of individuals in dire circumstances continues to grow, with Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo topping the list for the absolute number of people facing food insecurity. Meanwhile, Gaza and South Sudan lead in terms of the percentage of their populations affected.
The situation is particularly dire for children, with around 35.5 million reported as acutely malnourished, including a staggering 10 million suffering from severe acute malnutrition—a life-threatening condition. The authors of the report underscore that conflict, coupled with forced displacement, remains the primary driver of food insecurity, with over 85 million people displaced within crisis contexts last year.
The Impact of Ongoing Conflicts
UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasised the urgency of the situation in his foreword to the report, stating, “Conflict remains the primary driver of acute food insecurity and malnutrition for millions around the world, with outright famine emerging in two conflict-affected areas in the same year—an unprecedented development.” He called upon global leaders to exercise political will and increase investments in life-saving aid while working towards resolving the conflicts inflicting suffering on millions.
Catherine Russell, UNICEF executive director, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Millions of children on the verge of starvation must be a wake-up call to the world. This is not about scarcity of food but about the lack of political will to ensure that children everywhere have access to basic nutrition, safe water, and the essential services they rely on to survive and grow.”
A Dismal Future: Declining Aid and Economic Uncertainty
As we look towards 2026, the report warns that ongoing conflicts, climate variability, and global economic uncertainty—including the ramifications of the conflict in the Middle East—are likely to sustain or worsen food insecurity in many regions. Experts have voiced concerns that the war in Iran could severely hinder aid efforts in neighbouring countries, with logistical challenges and soaring fuel prices further complicating humanitarian responses.
The report highlights a staggering decline in foreign aid, which has fallen to its lowest level in a decade. Funding for food crisis responses has dropped to levels not seen since before 2015, with aid from the Development Assistance Committee (DAC)—comprising the world’s wealthiest nations—plummeting by 23.1 per cent to $174.3 billion (£129.8 billion) in 2025. This sharp decline is largely attributed to the United States, which accounted for three-quarters of the reduction, slashing its aid by 57 per cent. Other major donors, including Germany and the United Kingdom, also reported significant cuts.
For the first time in history, Germany has provided more aid than the US, with $29.1 billion compared to the US’s $29 billion. This shift underscores a worrying trend in international aid, as countries grapple with competing domestic pressures while the need for humanitarian assistance continues to grow.
Why it Matters
The escalating food crisis represents not just a humanitarian emergency but a profound challenge to global stability. As millions face hunger and malnutrition, the implications extend far beyond the immediate suffering, threatening to destabilise entire regions and exacerbate existing conflicts. The decline in foreign aid, coupled with political reluctance to address the root causes of food insecurity, signals a critical juncture in the global response to hunger. Action is imperative; without it, the future appears bleak for those already trapped in the cycle of poverty and food deprivation.
