Global Malnutrition in 2025: An Overview
Recent data from organizations like the FAO, UNICEF, and WHO reveal a complex global malnutrition landscape in 2025, where progress is uneven and insufficient to meet global nutrition targets. Malnutrition encompasses deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person’s nutrient intake, ranging from undernutrition to obesity.
The Lingering Crisis of Undernutrition
Undernutrition, including wasting, stunting, and being underweight, significantly impacts global health, particularly affecting children and those in lower-income countries.
- Chronic Undernutrition (Stunting): In 2024, an estimated 150.2 million children under five were stunted, a result of chronic undernutrition and poor environmental conditions that can irreversibly impair development. Some regions, like sub-Saharan Africa, have seen an increase in the number of stunted children.
- Acute Undernutrition (Wasting): Affecting 45 million children under five in 2022, wasting indicates recent, severe weight loss often due to illness or lack of food. Acute malnutrition rates are alarmingly high and worsening in humanitarian crisis zones such as Gaza, Sudan, and South Sudan in 2025.
- Micronutrient Deficiencies: Also known as 'hidden hunger,' this involves a lack of essential vitamins and minerals. In 2024, nearly one-third of women globally were anemic, primarily due to iron deficiency. Billions worldwide lack vital nutrients like Vitamin A and iodine.
The Rising Tide of Overnutrition (Obesity)
Overnutrition, or obesity, continues to rise globally, creating a 'double burden' of malnutrition alongside undernutrition.
- Adults: By 2022, 2.5 billion adults were overweight, with 890 million considered obese. The prevalence of obesity has more than doubled since 1990.
- Children and Adolescents: In 2025, a UNICEF report highlighted that obesity surpassed underweight among school-aged children and adolescents for the first time. Obesity rates in this age group have quadrupled since 1990. Around 35 million children under five were overweight in 2024.
Driving Factors Behind Global Malnutrition
Malnutrition is driven by multiple interconnected issues.
- Conflict and Insecurity: Political instability and conflict are major drivers of acute food insecurity and malnutrition, impacting millions. Famines, confirmed in Sudan and Gaza in 2025, show the severe impact of war on food access.
- Economic Shocks: Inflation and economic instability have made healthy diets unaffordable for billions, with food price inflation consistently outpacing overall inflation from 2020 to 2024.
- Climate Change: Extreme weather events like droughts and floods disrupt farming and contribute to food crises.
Comparison: Undernutrition vs. Overnutrition
| Feature | Undernutrition | Overnutrition |
|---|---|---|
| Causes | Insufficient caloric intake, inadequate access to nutritious food, frequent illness, poverty, conflict, climate events | Excessive consumption of energy-dense foods, limited physical activity, lack of access to healthy, affordable options |
| Global Trend | Slow, uneven decline in undernourishment since 2020, but worsening acute food insecurity in crisis zones | Steadily increasing rates globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries |
| High-Risk Groups | Infants, young children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, the elderly in low-income settings | Individuals across all age groups and income levels, with childhood obesity quadrupling since 1990 |
| Health Consequences | Stunted growth, cognitive impairment, weakened immune system, increased risk of mortality | Increased risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers |
| Affordability | People often cannot afford a healthy diet, leading them to consume cheaper, less nutritious food | Cheaper, ultra-processed foods may be more accessible than fresh, healthy options, contributing to overconsumption |
Conclusion: A Global Challenge Requiring Coordinated Action
Malnutrition remains a pervasive and complex global challenge in 2024-2025. While undernutrition has seen marginal improvement in some areas, the rise of obesity continues alongside it. Addressing this 'double burden' requires tackling root causes such as conflict, economic instability, and climate change. Failing to invest in resilient food, health, and social systems hinders progress towards the Sustainable Development Goal of ending hunger and malnutrition by 2030. Collaborative action, prioritizing vulnerable communities, and sustained funding are essential.
Global Efforts and Initiatives
Organizations like the World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF, and the FAO are working to address the crisis through emergency response and long-term resilience building. The International Rescue Committee also provides critical nutrition services in crisis-affected countries.
How to Support Efforts Against Malnutrition
- Donate to reputable aid organizations: Organizations like UNICEF and the International Rescue Committee provide avenues for donations to support those in need.
- Support sustainable food systems: Advocating for policies promoting resilient agriculture can address long-term malnutrition drivers.
- Raise awareness: Educating others about malnutrition can mobilize support for solutions.
The Path to Zero Hunger
Achieving the Zero Hunger goal by 2030 is challenged by persistent conflicts, climate change, and economic inequalities. A multi-pronged strategy involving humanitarian aid, systemic changes, and robust investment is needed. Urgent and inclusive action is necessary.
[Action Against Hunger](https://www.actionagainsthunger.org/the-hunger-crisis/world-hunger-facts/) is a leading organization in tackling global malnutrition and hunger.
Conclusion
Despite a slight decrease in hunger figures in 2024, billions still face food insecurity, and overweight and obesity continue to rise. The complex causes—including conflict, climate change, and economic shocks—necessitate comprehensive global and local responses. Ending malnutrition in all forms remains a major challenge requiring sustained commitment and investment for a healthier future.
