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A recent report from five United Nations agencies highlights a staggering reality: one in three individuals worldwide is unable to afford a healthy diet. With 2.69 billion people lacking access to the necessary nutrition, experts underscore the pressing need for policy changes aimed at reducing the costs of essential food items such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. While global hunger figures have seen a slight decline for the third consecutive year, the issue of food affordability remains a significant barrier to achieving the 2030 target of zero hunger.
Alarming Statistics on Food Insecurity
According to the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2026 report, 7.8% of the global population was affected by hunger in 2025, down from 8.1% in 2024. This decline is particularly notable in Africa, where the trajectory of rising hunger appears to be stabilising. However, the report also reveals that the cost of a healthy diet stands at 4.28 purchasing power parity (PPP) dollars per day—substantially higher than the extreme poverty threshold of $3 PPP.
Maximo Torero, chief economist of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and one of the report’s authors, emphasised the gravity of the situation. He noted that while policies have traditionally focused on subsidising staple foods, they have largely neglected the essential components of a diverse diet, leading to rising obesity rates and associated health issues.
The Rising Tide of Obesity
The World Health Organization (WHO) data indicates that adult obesity rates have climbed from 12.1% in 2012 to 16.2% in 2024, highlighting a worrying trend. Torero described the urgency of addressing this crisis, stating, “Obesity is growing at a very steep level, so we need to now work intensively on trying to minimise those risks and those hidden costs that that substantial increase in obesity will bring.”
Efforts to combat this issue must include investments in infrastructure and research, as well as the implementation of policies that promote increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. Such measures could significantly alleviate the economic burden of health problems associated with inadequate diets.
Africa at the Centre of the Crisis
The report paints a stark picture of food insecurity in Africa, where an alarming 66.6% of the population cannot afford a healthy diet—more than double the rates seen in Asia or Latin America and the Caribbean. For the first time, Africa has surpassed Asia in the number of people experiencing hunger, with approximately 309 million individuals affected compared to Asia’s 292 million.
This surge in hunger is largely attributed to rapid population growth on the continent, even as the proportion of individuals suffering from food insecurity begins to decline. Torero remarked on the significance of this shift, particularly in light of diminishing overseas development assistance to the region.
Challenges on the Horizon
Looking ahead, Torero cautioned that external factors, such as shipping restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz related to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, could further complicate next year’s hunger statistics. The report, authored collectively by the FAO, WHO, UNICEF, the UN World Food Programme, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, calls for immediate and coordinated action to address these pressing issues.
Why it Matters
The findings of this report underscore a critical juncture in the global fight against hunger and malnutrition. With millions unable to access the nutrition they need for a healthy life, the implications extend beyond individual well-being to broader societal health and economic productivity. The urgent need for policy reform cannot be overstated, as the choices made today will shape the future of food security for generations to come. Without decisive action to improve food affordability and diversity, achieving the ambitious goal of zero hunger by 2030 may remain an elusive dream.