What is the prevalence of food insecurity?

December 14, 2025 •

2 min read

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), approximately 2.3 billion people worldwide were moderately or severely food insecure in 2024, highlighting the seriousness of the issue and providing a clear answer to what is the prevalence of food insecurity today. This represents a persistent challenge despite slight global improvements in recent years.

Quick Summary

The prevalence of food insecurity remains high globally, affecting billions. Recent data reveals significant regional disparities and a worsening situation in some areas like Africa. In the U.S., rates increased in 2023, disproportionately affecting certain demographics. Multiple systemic factors, including conflict and climate change, are to blame.

Key Points

Global Stats (2024): Approximately 2.3 billion people worldwide were moderately or severely food insecure, equivalent to 28% of the global population.
Regional Differences: Africa has the highest prevalence of food insecurity, while Asia accounts for the largest number of food-insecure individuals due to its population size.
Prevalence in the US: In 2023, 13.5% of US households were food insecure, an increase from the previous year, affecting 47.4 million Americans.
Vulnerable Groups: Children, women, and specific racial and ethnic groups are disproportionately impacted by food insecurity.
Key Drivers: Conflict, economic shocks like high inflation, climate change, and systemic inequalities are major factors driving the persistent prevalence of food insecurity.
Health Consequences: Food insecurity is linked to a host of negative health outcomes, including chronic diseases, stunting, and mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

Global Prevalence of Food Insecurity

Recent data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and its partners indicate that while global hunger has seen a marginal decline in 2024, the overall prevalence of food insecurity remains significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels. Approximately 2.3 billion individuals experienced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2024, making up about 28% of the world's population. This figure is considerably higher than in 2019. Severe food insecurity, also known as hunger, affected about 673 million people in the same year.

Regional and Demographic Disparities

The distribution of food insecurity varies significantly across regions. Africa continues to have the highest prevalence. Asia is home to nearly half of the world's moderately or severely food-insecure individuals. Globally, rural populations experience higher rates of food insecurity than urban populations in most regions. Women consistently experience higher rates of food insecurity than men in all regions.

Food Insecurity in Developed Nations: The United States

Food insecurity is also a notable issue in high-income countries like the United States. In 2023, 13.5% of U.S. households were food insecure, an increase from 2022, impacting 47.4 million Americans. The number of children in food-insecure households rose significantly. Racial and ethnic disparities persist, with rates for Black and Latinx households significantly higher than for non-Latinx White households. A substantial portion of food-insecure individuals earn above the federal poverty line.

The Measurement of Food Insecurity

Different methodologies are used to measure food insecurity. The Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) is used globally by the FAO, while the Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM) is primarily used in the United States by the USDA.


Feature	Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) (FAO)	Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM) (USDA)
Focus	Measures individuals' direct experiences related to food access due to resource limitations.	Assesses access to adequate, nutritious food and the ability to acquire it through socially acceptable means.
Questions	Uses 8 yes/no questions.	Employs a series of questions to determine severity and extent.
Severity	Classifies as moderate or severe.	Categorizes into high, marginal, low, and very low food security.
Scope	Used globally for comparable international estimates.	Primarily used within the United States.
Outputs	Generates statistics on prevalence of moderate or severe insecurity.	Produces the annual report on household food security in the U.S..

The Driving Forces Behind Food Insecurity

Several complex and interrelated factors contribute to the high prevalence of food insecurity globally. Key drivers include conflict, climate change, economic shocks (like inflation), pandemics, and systemic inequalities.

Health and Social Consequences

Food insecurity has far-reaching impacts on physical and mental health. These include increased risk of chronic diseases, malnutrition, stunting, a weakened immune system, and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

Conclusion

The prevalence of food insecurity remains a critical global issue. Effectively addressing food insecurity requires comprehensive solutions that target its root causes, such as poverty, inequality, and the effects of climate change. For further information, the {Link: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations website https://www.fao.org} is an excellent resource.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hunger is the physical, uncomfortable sensation caused by a lack of food. Food insecurity, on the other hand, is the socio-economic condition of having limited or uncertain access to adequate, nutritious food.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) uses the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), a survey-based measure, to assess the prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity internationally.

Conflict, economic shocks (like inflation), climate change, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are among the primary drivers of food insecurity worldwide.

Women, children, and people in rural areas tend to face higher rates of food insecurity globally. In the United States, Black and Latinx households have disproportionately higher rates than white households.

Food insecurity is linked to both physical and mental health issues. It increases the risk of chronic diseases, contributes to malnutrition and stunting, and is strongly associated with higher rates of depression and anxiety.

Yes, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a sharp increase in food insecurity globally due to supply chain disruptions and economic downturns. While rates slightly improved after 2021, they remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels.

No, food insecurity is also a significant problem in high-income countries. In 2023, 13.5% of households in the United States experienced food insecurity, showing that the issue affects nations at all income levels.