A recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has revealed that the international community is falling short of its goal to eradicate hunger by 2030. The report indicates that around 733 million people faced hunger in 2023, equivalent to one in 11 globally and one in five in Africa. This represents a setback of 15 years, with levels of undernourishment comparable to those seen in 2008-2009.
Chief Economist of the FAO, Maximo Torero, highlighted that between 713 million and 757 million people are currently suffering from chronic malnutrition and hunger. The situation varies regionally, with hunger on the rise in Africa and Latin America, while remaining stable in Asia. Torero emphasized that South America’s successful social protection programs have enabled them to effectively combat hunger, but Africa still lacks the institutional capacity to deliver targeted interventions.
The report identifies a combination of factors contributing to worsening food insecurity and malnutrition, including persistent food price inflation, conflict, climate change, and economic downturns. If current trends persist, it is estimated that approximately 582 million people will be chronically malnourished by 2030, with half of them residing in Africa.
Access to adequate food remains challenging for billions of people worldwide, with around 2.33 billion individuals facing moderate or severe food insecurity in 2023. Additionally, lack of affordable access to healthy diets continues to be a critical issue, affecting over a third of the global population. It is imperative for the international community to take urgent action to address these challenges and work towards achieving food security for all.
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