How many people worldwide don't have enough to eat?

December 18, 2025 •

2 min read

As of 2024, approximately 673 million people went hungry, a stark figure that highlights the persistent global challenge of food insecurity, despite the world producing enough food to feed everyone. Understanding how many people worldwide don't have enough to eat requires looking beyond simple hunger figures to include broader issues of food insecurity and malnutrition.

Quick Summary

This article provides a comprehensive overview of global hunger and food insecurity, detailing the latest figures, primary drivers like conflict and climate change, and regional impacts. It also outlines key strategies and targets aimed at addressing and reducing this ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Key Points

Prevalence: As of 2024, approximately 673 million people suffered from hunger, while nearly 2.3 billion faced moderate to severe food insecurity.
Growing Crisis: The number of people experiencing hunger has stubbornly remained high after spiking during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key Drivers: Conflict, climate change, and economic shocks are the primary forces driving global food insecurity.
Regional Disparities: Africa has the highest levels of food insecurity, while Asia holds the majority of the world's hungry population by sheer numbers.
Solutions: Ending hunger requires addressing its root causes through sustainable agriculture, social safety nets, empowering small-scale farmers, and mitigating climate impacts.
SDG Goal: The world is not on track to meet the UN's Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger by 2030, necessitating intensified global efforts.

Global Hunger: The Current Reality

Latest Statistics on Hunger and Food Insecurity

Recent reports indicate that in 2024, around 673 million people experienced hunger. While this is an improvement from decades past, the number of those facing food insecurity is much higher. Nearly 2.3 billion people, or 28% of the global population, were moderately or severely food insecure in 2024, meaning they lack consistent access to adequate and nutritious food. Global food production is sufficient, yet the crisis persists.

The Driving Forces Behind the Crisis

Global hunger is a complex issue driven by several interconnected factors. Conflict disrupts food systems and aid delivery. Climate change, through extreme weather, devastates crops and livelihoods. Economic shocks and inflation make food unaffordable for billions. Persistent inequality and poverty create a cycle of vulnerability.

Regional Variations in Food Insecurity

Hunger and food insecurity impact regions differently.


Region	Hunger Level in 2024	Food Insecurity Trends	Key Drivers	Status
Africa	Highest and most concerning. Deteriorating trends.	Hunger is increasing in Western Asia, the Caribbean, and all subregions of Africa. Climate extremes are major factors.	Conflict, climate change, and economic shocks.	Alarming
Asia	Varies significantly. Asia hosts the majority of the world's hungry people in raw numbers.	Most subregions have seen improvements, but South Asia remains 'serious'.	Economic challenges and natural disasters.	Serious
Latin America and the Caribbean	Although mostly low, it is the only region where hunger has worsened since 2016.	Rising food inflation and debt.	Amplified inequalities.	Low/Worsening
Europe and Central Asia	Mostly low. On track to achieve low hunger by 2030.	Stable, but with ongoing challenges.	Trade shocks and climate change.	Mostly on track

Efforts to Achieve Zero Hunger by 2030

Achieving the UN's Zero Hunger goal requires accelerated, multi-dimensional action. Key strategies include treating malnutrition, building resilience in agriculture, providing economic empowerment through safety nets, reducing food waste, and addressing the root causes like poverty and conflict.

The Path Forward: Collective Action

Ending world hunger requires global collaboration and is fundamental to sustainable development. While challenging, progress is possible through supporting sustainable practices and empowering vulnerable communities.

Conclusion In conclusion, the number of people lacking sufficient food remains a critical global issue. Millions face chronic hunger, and billions experience food insecurity due to conflict, climate change, and economic factors. Addressing this requires a multi-pronged approach and concerted global action towards resilience, equity, and sustainability to achieve zero hunger.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hunger is the distressing physical sensation caused by an inadequate intake of dietary energy, while food insecurity is the state of having uncertain access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, healthy food. A person can be food insecure without experiencing chronic hunger.

The main causes are conflict and political instability, climate change and extreme weather events, economic shocks, and persistent inequality and poverty.

Africa has the highest prevalence of hunger, while Asia is home to the largest number of hungry people. Hunger has also been worsening in Latin America and the Caribbean recently.

Yes, the world produces enough food to feed everyone. The issue is not one of global scarcity but rather unequal distribution, access, and affordability.

Climate change creates more frequent and intense extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, which destroy crops and disrupt food production, especially for vulnerable farming communities.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2 is 'Zero Hunger,' with a target of ending hunger and ensuring access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food for all by 2030.

Effective solutions include treating malnutrition at a community level, implementing sustainable agricultural practices, providing social safety nets like cash transfers, reducing food waste and loss, and addressing the root causes of poverty and conflict.