What Percentage of People in Africa Do Not Get Enough to Eat? A Look at the Statistics (1/10, 1/3, 1/2, and 3/4)

December 16, 2025 •

3 min read

In 2022, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that a staggering 61% of the population in Africa faced moderate or severe food insecurity. As recent data from various UN agencies shows that more than one in five people on the continent were chronically undernourished in 2024, the question of what percentage of people in Africa do not get enough to eat is more critical than ever.

Quick Summary

Official reports reveal that a significant portion of Africa's population experiences food insecurity, with numbers varying depending on whether moderate or severe conditions are measured. This complex crisis is driven by factors like conflict, climate change, and economic instability. Addressing the root causes requires multifaceted interventions from governments and international organizations.

Key Points

Prevalence in 2022: According to FAO data, 61% of Africa's population faced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2022, a figure higher than the historical 33% mentioned in some contexts.
Rising Trends: The number of people experiencing severe food insecurity and chronic undernourishment has been consistently rising since 2019, particularly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Regional Disparities: The food crisis is not uniform across Africa; Central, Eastern, and Western Africa have experienced higher rates of food insecurity than other subregions.
Primary Drivers: The main causes of rising hunger include conflict, climate change (droughts and floods), economic instability, and weak infrastructure.
Solution Complexity: Addressing food insecurity requires a multifaceted approach that includes promoting sustainable agriculture, enhancing economic opportunities, promoting peace, and strengthening international cooperation.
Multiple Metrics: Different percentages reflect different measures of hunger and food insecurity, ranging from chronic undernourishment (20%+) to more comprehensive metrics including moderate and severe insecurity (61%).

Dissecting the Food Insecurity Numbers

When addressing the question of what percentage of people in Africa do not get enough to eat, it is crucial to understand the different ways hunger and food insecurity are measured. While simplified multiple-choice options might be presented, recent data reveals a more complex reality depending on the type of food insecurity.

According to data from the FAO and other UN agencies:

In 2022, about 61% of the African population experienced moderate or severe food insecurity.
Within that figure, 24% faced severe food insecurity.
The proportion facing chronic undernourishment surpassed 20% in 2024, affecting 307 million people.

These numbers show that figures like 33% (or 1/3), though used in some contexts, understate the current situation. The higher recent percentages reflect a worsening trend due to global and regional events.

Causes of Food Insecurity: A Complex Web of Factors

Africa's food crisis stems from interconnected challenges.

Climate Change and Environmental Stress

Extreme weather is a major driver. Droughts hurt rain-fed agriculture, floods destroy harvests, and desertification reduces farmland.

Conflict and Political Instability

Conflict is a significant driver, disrupting systems and displacing millions. In 2023, most acutely food-insecure Africans lived in conflict zones. Conflict leads to displacement, supply chain disruptions, and the use of hunger as a weapon.

Economic Shocks and Poverty

Underlying economic issues prevent many from affording healthy diets. High food prices make nutritious food inaccessible. Poverty means many cannot afford sufficient food. Uneven economic recovery doesn't always help the most vulnerable.

Inadequate Infrastructure and Social Inequalities

Inefficient infrastructure and social issues also contribute.

Many farmers lack access to resources like seeds and irrigation.
Poor infrastructure causes post-harvest losses and poor distribution.
Women, often farmers, face disproportionate food insecurity.

Strategies for a Food-Secure Future

Addressing the crisis needs a comprehensive approach from organizations and governments.

A. Promoting Agricultural Resilience and Innovation

Promote climate-resilient farming and better water management.
Invest in infrastructure like irrigation and storage.
Provide farmers with technology and resources.

B. Enhancing Economic Opportunities and Safety Nets

Implement social protection programs for vulnerable households.
Invest in programs for economic growth and increased purchasing power.
Mitigate high food prices.

C. Strengthening Peace and Governance

Prioritize conflict resolution and stability.
Strengthen institutions and ensure equitable resource allocation.

D. Fostering International Cooperation

Mobilize financial and technical resources through collaboration.
Improve emergency responses to be more equitable and effective.

Food Insecurity Metrics: Under-Nourishment vs. Moderate/Severe Food Insecurity


Metric	Definition	Prevalence in Africa (2022/2024)	Primary Indicators
Undernourishment	Chronic hunger, failing to meet energy needs.	>20% (307 million in 2024)	Calorie intake below required level
Moderate Food Insecurity	Uncertainty about obtaining food, compromising diet quality or quantity.	Combined with severe, total reached 61% in 2022	Uncertainty of food supply, reduced diet quality
Severe Food Insecurity	Extreme lack of food, potentially going days without eating.	24% in 2022	Skipping meals, days without food, weight loss

Conclusion

While simplified percentages like 10%, 33%, 50%, or 75% exist, recent data from sources like the UN's FAO provides a more detailed picture. In 2022, 61% of Africa's population experienced food insecurity, with 24% facing severe conditions. Conflict, climate change, and economic instability are key drivers, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Addressing this requires sustained efforts in promoting peace, investing in resilient agriculture, and enhancing social safety nets. The global community must collaborate to reverse this trend. More detailed statistics can be found in official FAO reports.

Frequently Asked Questions

In 2022, the most recent year for which comprehensive data is available, 61% of Africa's population experienced moderate or severe food insecurity, according to the UN's FAO.

Different percentages reflect different metrics and time periods. The 33% figure was a common estimate in some educational settings but is now outdated. The higher 61% figure reflects more recent data (2022) and includes both moderate and severe food insecurity.

Conflict is a primary driver of hunger, displacing millions of people, disrupting food production and supply chains, and hindering the delivery of humanitarian aid to affected populations.

Climate change causes extreme weather events like droughts and floods, which destroy crops and agricultural lands. It also leads to erratic rainfall patterns, severely impacting the rain-fed agriculture that many African communities depend on.

Moderate food insecurity means people face uncertainty about getting food and must sometimes compromise on diet quality or quantity. Severe food insecurity indicates a more extreme condition where individuals have likely gone a full day without eating due to lack of resources.

Yes, FAO reports indicate that Central Africa, Eastern Africa, and Western Africa have consistently seen the highest prevalence of food insecurity, both moderate and severe, in recent years.

Solutions include promoting sustainable farming, investing in agricultural infrastructure, implementing social safety net programs, and increasing international cooperation to address the root causes of hunger.