NEWS – According to the ‘State of Food and Nutrition in the World’ (SOFI) 2025 report, hunger affected up to 720 million people worldwide in 2024 — around 8.2 per cent of the global population.

KEY FINDINGS OF SOFI 2025

• Global Hunger Prevalence:
  • In 2024, 720 million people (8.2% of the global population) faced chronic hunger.
  • While lower than 8.5% in 2023 and 8.7% in 2022, the reduction is uneven and insufficient.
• Food Insecurity Snapshot:
  • 2.3 billion people were moderately or severely food insecure in 2024.
  • This is 335 million more than in 2019 (pre-pandemic) and 683 million more than in 2015.
• Regional Disparities:
  • Asia has the highest number of undernourished people: 323 million.
  • Africa follows with 307 million, but it has the highest prevalence, with over 20% chronically hungry.
  • Latin America and the Caribbean: 34 million.
  • Hunger declined in Southeast Asia, Southern Asia, and South America, but rose in parts of Africa.
• Long-Term Trends:
  • Since 2015, an additional 96 million people now suffer from chronic hunger.
  • Hunger levels remain significantly above pre-COVID-19 and 2015 levels, despite temporary improvements.

Projections for 2030

• At current pace, 512 million people (6% of global population) will remain undernourished by 2030.
• Africa will account for 60% of these; 17.6% of its population may remain chronically hungry.
• Undernourishment in Asia and Latin America is expected to fall below 5%.

About the Report

• SOFI 2025 is produced jointly by FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO.
• It tracks progress towards SDG 2 targets on ending hunger and malnutrition.