The Daily Journal — Global hunger declined slightly in 2025, affecting 645 million people, or 7.8% of the world’s population, according to The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI 2026), an annual report that several United Nations agencies presented Tuesday in Rome.
The report highlights steady progress in Latin America and the Caribbean, where the prevalence of hunger fell to 4.8%, representing 32 million people. The region has continued the downward trend that began after the pandemic. In contrast, Africa remains the hardest-hit region, with 309 million people facing hunger, as rapid population growth continues to offset modest percentage gains.
Moderate and severe food insecurity affected 25.8% of the global population in 2025, with rural communities and women bearing the greatest burden. The report also points to the rising cost of a healthy diet, increasing adult obesity, and the continuing effects of the climate crisis and international conflicts, all of which hinder progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals under the 2030 Agenda.
Based on reporting by EFE.
