A staggering 733 million people worldwide faced hunger in 2023, according to a new report released by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Wednesday. This equates to one in eleven people globally and a crisis-level one in five in Africa.
The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report revealed a deepening global food crisis, with 2.33 billion people experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity. Despite a slight decline from the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number remains alarmingly high.
Driving factors behind the worsening crisis include persistent food price inflation, climate change, and ongoing conflicts, which are collectively eroding economic gains and disrupting food production and supply chains. These challenges are compounded by underlying issues such as inequality, unhealthy food environments, and limited access to affordable, nutritious diets.
David Laborde, FAO’s director of agri-food economics, emphasized the need for urgent action to address the crisis. He stated, “Today we produce enough food on this planet to feed everyone. So if we want to solve the position by 2030, it’s technically feasible.” However, he also stressed the importance of political will and increased investment to achieve this goal.
The report calls for a comprehensive approach to tackle hunger, including transforming and strengthening agri-food systems, addressing inequalities, and ensuring access to affordable and healthy diets for all. The UN agencies are urging for increased and more efficient financing for food security and nutrition, accompanied by clear and standardized funding guidelines.
Unless global efforts are significantly intensified, the report predicts that approximately 582 million people will continue to suffer from chronic undernourishment by 2030, with Africa bearing the brunt of the crisis.
