The Global Picture: A Look at the Latest Figures
The inability to afford a healthy diet is a key indicator of global food insecurity. In 2024, approximately 2.6 billion people, or nearly one-third of the global population, found a healthy diet to be financially out of reach. While this number represents a decline from the peak during the COVID-19 pandemic, progress remains fragile and uneven across different regions and income groups. The average global cost of a healthy diet reached $4.46 per person per day in 2024 (in purchasing power parity dollars), with costs varying dramatically depending on location. This economic barrier forces many to compromise on nutritional quality, opting for cheaper, energy-dense but nutrient-poor foods that have long-term health consequences.
Regional and Income Disparities
The global statistics mask significant inequalities in the affordability of healthy diets. Africa faces the most severe challenge, while Asia has seen uneven improvements. High-income regions have experienced a faster recovery in affordability since 2020, highlighting the unequal impact of global economic shifts. For further details on regional trends, refer to {Link: openknowledge.fao.org https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/4eed749b-81f8-49c9-ba32-f09c66988d54/content/state-food-security-and-nutrition-2025/cost-affordability-healthy-diet.html}.
The Economic Forces Behind Unaffordability
Several factors converge to make a healthy diet financially unattainable for billions, including:
- Food Price Inflation: Rising food prices disproportionately affect low-income households, which spend a much larger percentage of their income on food. Global events like supply chain disruptions and conflict have contributed to sharp price increases in recent years.
- Stagnant or Declining Incomes: In many countries, particularly low-income nations, income growth has not kept pace with rising food costs. This erosion of purchasing power directly impacts the ability of families to buy diverse, nutritious foods.
- Climate Change and Weather Shocks: Climate-induced disasters, such as floods and droughts, disrupt agricultural production, leading to higher food prices and increased food insecurity in vulnerable regions.
- Unequal Recovery: The economic recovery following global shocks has been uneven. High-income countries, with greater fiscal capacity, have been able to deploy stimulus packages and social protection measures to cushion the impact, while low-income countries have limited resources.
Causes and Consequences: A Comparison
The table below contrasts the drivers and effects of food affordability issues across different income levels.
| Feature | Low-Income Countries | High-Income Countries |
|---|---|---|
| Key Economic Driver | High food price inflation combined with stagnant real incomes. | Modest food price increases, offset by stronger income growth. |
| Health Consequences | High rates of undernutrition, stunting, wasting, and micronutrient deficiencies, alongside a rise in diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). | Higher prevalence of obesity and NCDs linked to overconsumption of cheap, processed foods, rather than a lack of access. |
| Dietary Choices | Forced to prioritize cheaper staples to meet calorie needs, sacrificing nutrient diversity. | May choose unhealthy, but convenient and affordable, processed foods over more expensive fresh produce. |
| Government Response | Limited fiscal capacity restricts large-scale social protection programs to mitigate food price impacts. | Ability to deploy targeted social protection programs and other measures to manage price shocks. |
The Health Consequences of Inaccessible Nutrition
For those who can't afford a healthy diet, the health consequences are dire and long-lasting. The reliance on cheaper, less nutritious food leads to various forms of malnutrition, including micronutrient deficiencies and higher rates of diet-related diseases. In low-income settings, this manifests as undernutrition, stunting, and wasting, particularly in children. Conversely, even in richer nations, lower-income households are more susceptible to diet-related non-communicable diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease due to the affordability and heavy marketing of processed foods high in sugar, fat, and salt. The World Health Organization emphasizes that promoting a healthy diet is essential for public health, which requires creating a healthy food environment.
Policy Solutions and Interventions
Addressing this crisis requires comprehensive, multi-sectoral action. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other international bodies highlight the need for systemic changes to make healthy diets more accessible and affordable for all.
Here are some key interventions:
- Investing in Agrifood Systems: Increasing investments in agriculture, focusing on improving the efficiency and sustainability of diverse, nutritious food production, is crucial. This can help lower the cost of healthy foods, particularly in low-income countries.
- Social Protection Programs: Governments can implement or strengthen social safety nets, like food assistance programs or wage increases, to directly boost the purchasing power of low-income households.
- Promoting Healthy Food Environments: Policymakers can create environments that encourage healthier eating. This includes regulations on unhealthy food marketing and subsidies for healthy food options.
- Improving Supply Chains: Enhancing infrastructure and market access, especially in rural areas, can reduce the cost of distribution for nutritious foods.
- Targeting Disparities: Policies must recognize and address the specific challenges of low-income populations and regions. This includes understanding what nutritious foods are most expensive and targeting interventions accordingly.
Conclusion: Toward a More Equitable Food System
The question of how many people can't afford a healthy diet is not merely a statistical exercise; it is a critical measure of global inequality and public health. With over 2.6 billion people affected in 2024, the challenge is immense and deeply rooted in economic disparities and systemic vulnerabilities. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger requires moving beyond simple caloric intake to ensure universal access to nutritious and affordable diets. Urgent and targeted interventions, combining strategic investments in agrifood systems, robust social protection, and health-focused policies, are necessary to make a healthier future a reality for billions who are currently left behind. The global community must prioritize this issue to build a more equitable and resilient food system for all. For further data, refer to {Link: World Bank's Food Security Updates https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/agriculture/brief/food-security-update}.
