The Global Landscape of Food Insecurity
Food insecurity is a global crisis, but its impact is felt most acutely in specific regions grappling with conflict, climate shocks, and economic collapse. Recent reports from the UN World Food Programme (WFP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) provide a sobering picture of the worst-affected areas. While the situation is fluid, with different countries topping lists based on the specific metrics used (e.g., total number of people versus percentage of population), a few hotspots consistently appear at the highest levels of concern. In 2025, famine was confirmed in parts of Sudan and the Gaza Strip, signaling an extreme crisis.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) is a key tool used by humanitarian agencies to assess the severity of food insecurity, rating it on a five-phase scale where Phase 5 indicates catastrophe or famine. The most recent data reveals that millions are in the grips of acute food insecurity, defined as the inability to access adequate food in the short term, putting lives and livelihoods at immediate risk.
Leading Countries Facing Acute Food Insecurity
While the answer to "what country has the highest food insecurity?" depends on the metric, a few nations consistently face the most severe and widespread crises. Here is a breakdown based on recent reports:
- Sudan: In 2025, famine was officially confirmed in Sudan, primarily affecting internally displaced persons (IDPs) and conflict zones. Ongoing conflict has severely restricted humanitarian access, destroyed livelihoods, and triggered a major displacement crisis, with 24.6 million people facing high levels of acute food insecurity.
- Gaza Strip: By September 2025, reports indicated that the entire population of Gaza was projected to face high levels of acute food insecurity. Escalating conflict and blockades have crippled aid delivery, leaving over half a million people on the brink of starvation.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): The DRC has one of the highest total numbers of people in acute food insecurity, with 27.7 million people affected in 2025. Decades of conflict, displacement, and economic volatility have eroded people's resilience and capacity to produce or purchase food.
- Nigeria: With 30.6 million people facing acute food shortages, Nigeria continues to be one of the hardest-hit countries in Africa. Insecurity, economic shocks, and the removal of fuel subsidies have caused food prices to soar, limiting purchasing power for millions.
- Yemen: A decade of conflict and economic decline has pushed Yemen into one of the world's most severe food crises. In 2025, over 18 million people, nearly two-thirds of the population, were struggling with hunger. High food prices, coupled with funding shortfalls for humanitarian aid, have exacerbated the crisis.
- Afghanistan: A combination of climate shocks, economic collapse, and reduced international aid has worsened the food security situation in Afghanistan. Recent reports estimate that approximately 15 million people are facing severe food insecurity, with women and children disproportionately affected.
Primary Causes and Contributing Factors
The food crises gripping these nations are not isolated events but the result of a complex interplay of factors.
Comparison of Key Drivers in Food Crisis Hotspots
| Driver | Sudan | Gaza Strip | Democratic Republic of Congo | Yemen | Afghanistan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conflict/Insecurity | Primary driver | Primary driver | Major driver | Primary driver | Significant driver |
| Economic Shocks | High inflation | Blockades | Endemic poverty | Economic crisis | Economic collapse |
| Climate Extremes | Flooding | Not a primary driver | Flooding, pests | Drought | Drought, floods |
| Humanitarian Access | Severely restricted | Restricted | Hindered | Limited | Affected by cuts |
Humanitarian Response and Challenges
Humanitarian organizations like the WFP and FAO are on the front lines, providing critical food and nutrition assistance. In Yemen, WFP supplies much of the logistical capacity for aid delivery, providing food assistance that has been instrumental in preventing famine in some areas. The World Bank is also involved, funding projects like the Afghanistan Emergency Food Security Project (EFSP) to boost local food production and resilience. In South Sudan, the WFP has scaled up operations to assist millions affected by conflict and flooding.
Despite these efforts, humanitarian responses face significant challenges. Severe funding shortfalls have forced organizations to scale back operations and reduce food rations. For example, a 17% drop in official development assistance was projected for 2025, severely impacting food security and nutrition programs. Unrestricted access to conflict-affected areas is also a constant challenge, hampering aid delivery and leaving some of the most vulnerable people unassisted.
What Can Be Done to Address Food Insecurity?
A multi-pronged approach is essential for addressing food insecurity effectively. It requires both immediate emergency relief and long-term, sustainable solutions.
Key Strategies
- Emergency Aid: Provide urgent and adequate humanitarian assistance to countries facing famine or catastrophic levels of food insecurity. Organizations need increased and consistent funding to maintain life-saving interventions.
- Conflict Resolution: Address the root causes of conflict and political instability, which are the primary drivers of hunger in many hotspots. Brokering political solutions is crucial for enabling aid access and rebuilding food systems.
- Climate Resilience: Invest in climate adaptation strategies, such as drought-resistant crops, improved irrigation, and early warning systems, to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events on agriculture.
- Economic Support: Implement effective social protection measures and support local economies to increase household purchasing power and reduce dependency on aid.
- Sustainable Development: Fund long-term investments in agriculture, rural development, and health and education systems to build resilience and reduce vulnerability to future shocks.
Conclusion
Identifying what country has the highest food insecurity is complex, but reports highlight Sudan, Gaza, DRC, Nigeria, Yemen, and Afghanistan as current epicenters of the crisis. Conflict remains the deadliest driver, pushing millions to the brink of starvation, while economic collapse and climate change exacerbate the situation. The global response, while vital, is currently hampered by funding shortfalls and access constraints. Long-term resilience depends on a coordinated global effort to address the root causes of conflict, invest in sustainable food systems, and ensure consistent humanitarian support for the world's most vulnerable populations.
