Global Hunger Reduction Efforts Falter, United Nations Reports

The United Nations has issued a stark warning that the goal of eradicating global hunger by 2030 is increasingly out of reach, with the number of people experiencing chronic hunger remaining largely unchanged over the past year, according to a new U.N. report.

The annual "State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World" report reveals that approximately 733 million people, or one in eleven globally and one in five in Africa, faced hunger in 2023. This persistent issue is exacerbated by ongoing conflicts, climate change, and economic crises.

David Laborde, who heads the division at the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) responsible for preparing the report, highlighted that while some regions have seen progress, the overall global situation has worsened. "We are in a worse position now than nine years ago when we set the target to end hunger by 2030," Laborde told Reuters. He attributed the worsening conditions to intensified challenges from climate change and regional conflicts, which have become more severe than anticipated.

The report warns that if current trends persist, approximately 582 million people will suffer from chronic undernourishment by the end of the decade, with half of this population in Africa.

Efforts to ensure consistent access to adequate food have also stagnated over the past three years, with 29% of the global population—around 2.33 billion people—experiencing moderate to severe food insecurity in 2023. The disparity between low-income and high-income countries is glaring, with 71.5% of individuals in low-income nations unable to afford a healthy diet, compared to just 6.3% in high-income countries.

Poor nutrition, though less visible than famine, has severe long-term effects, impairing the physical and mental development of children and increasing vulnerability to infections and diseases in adults. Despite international aid efforts totaling $76 billion annually—equivalent to just 0.07% of the world's economic output—Laborde believes more can be done to fulfill the promise of a hunger-free world.

Regional disparities are notable, with hunger continuing to rise in Africa due to rapid population growth, numerous conflicts, and climate challenges. In contrast, Asia has seen minimal change, and Latin America has shown improvement. "South America benefits from well-developed social protection programs that allow for rapid interventions to combat hunger," said Maximo Torero, FAO's chief economist. "Unfortunately, we have not seen similar progress in Africa."

The U.N. has called for a reevaluation of how anti-hunger efforts are funded and executed, emphasizing the need for greater flexibility and focus to ensure aid reaches the most needy countries. "We need to rethink our approach, improve coordination, and focus our efforts more effectively," Laborde added.

The report is a collaborative effort from the FAO, the U.N.'s International Fund for Agricultural Development, UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and the World Food Programme, based in Rome.