What Population Does Food Insecurity Affect?

December 13, 2025 •

3 min read

According to a 2024 update from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), an estimated 2.3 billion people worldwide faced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2023. This staggering statistic underscores a global crisis affecting diverse demographics, though certain populations are disproportionately vulnerable to the constant worry and instability that define food insecurity.

Quick Summary

Food insecurity impacts a wide range of people globally, with specific demographics facing higher risks due to economic shocks, conflict, and systemic inequality. Populations like children, seniors, single-parent households, and marginalized communities are particularly vulnerable to inadequate food access, which affects health, development, and well-being.

Key Points

Global Scale: Over 2.3 billion people worldwide faced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2023, with a significant increase since 2019.
Children are Particularly Vulnerable: Malnutrition from food insecurity in childhood can lead to stunted growth, cognitive impairment, weakened immunity, and long-term physical and mental health issues.
Seniors Face Higher Risks: Older adults are often susceptible due to fixed incomes, chronic health conditions, limited mobility, and social isolation.
Systemic Inequality Drives Disparities: Marginalized communities, including Indigenous and racial minorities, experience higher rates of food insecurity due to historical and ongoing systemic issues.
Women and Single Parents at Higher Risk: The gender gap in food insecurity persists, with women and single-parent households disproportionately affected by economic shocks and caregiving burdens.
Conflict is a Major Driver: War and instability are leading causes of acute food insecurity globally. It disrupts food production and supply chains, displaces populations, and hinders humanitarian aid efforts, creating conditions of famine in some regions.
Mental Health Impacts are Severe: The chronic stress of food insecurity is strongly linked to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders.

Disproportionately Affected: Key Vulnerable Groups

While food insecurity is a global issue, it does not affect all populations equally. A complex interplay of socio-economic factors, geography, and systemic inequalities places certain groups at a much higher risk of experiencing inconsistent or inadequate access to nutritious food. Understanding the demographics most affected is crucial for developing targeted, effective solutions.

Children

Children are one of the most vulnerable populations affected by food insecurity, with devastating short- and long-term consequences. In 2024, approximately 23.2% of children under five worldwide experienced stunted growth, a direct result of malnutrition. Food insecurity in early childhood can lead to cognitive delays, increased illness, and emotional distress.

Seniors

Older adults, especially those with fixed incomes, health conditions, and limited mobility, face significant challenges in accessing adequate food. Feeding America reports that almost 7 million seniors were food insecure in the United States in 2022, and this number is projected to rise. Contributing factors include health issues, social isolation, and transportation barriers.

Indigenous and Marginalized Communities

Systemic and historical injustices have created significant disparities in food security for many indigenous and marginalized communities. In the United States, a 2024 USDA study noted stark differences, with Indigenous and Black households experiencing significantly higher rates of food insecurity than the national average. In Canada, historical trauma has damaged traditional food systems, making indigenous communities reliant on expensive imported foods.

Single-Parent Households and Women

Women and single-parent households consistently face higher rates of food insecurity. Single mothers are at a particularly high risk; a Canadian study showed that over one-third of single-parent families cannot afford the food they need. Factors include the gender pay gap, caregiving responsibilities, and increased economic precarity.

Individuals Living in Conflict Zones

Conflict is a primary driver of acute food insecurity globally. As of early 2025, conflict remained the top driver, affecting millions in fragile and conflict-hit countries. War disrupts food production and supply chains, displaces populations, and creates famine conditions, such as those confirmed in Sudan and experienced by large populations in the Gaza Strip, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali.

Comparison of Food Insecurity Factors


Factor	High-Income Countries	Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Primary Cause	Often driven by economic inequality, poverty, job loss, and high cost of living.	Dominated by conflict, climate shocks, economic volatility, and agricultural challenges.
Most Affected Areas	Disproportionately impacts low-income, marginalized communities, and 'food deserts' in both rural and urban areas.	Widespread, with particularly high prevalence in rural areas and regions affected by conflict.
Dietary Impact	Can lead to reliance on cheaper, less nutritious, and high-energy foods, contributing to both undernutrition and obesity.	Often results in widespread undernourishment, stunting, and wasting, especially among children.
Associated Health Issues	Linked to chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension, as well as mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.	Causes severe malnutrition, higher infant mortality, and long-term cognitive and physical development issues.

The Overlooked Connection: Mental Health and Food Insecurity

The stress and uncertainty of food insecurity significantly impact mental health, correlating with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders. The constant worry about food causes chronic psychological distress, and food-insecure individuals face a higher risk of depression. This burden can hinder income-earning and food access. The impact is particularly severe in households with children, affecting a child's emotional and behavioral development. Addressing food insecurity is vital for public mental health initiatives.

Conclusion: A Global Challenge Requiring Targeted Responses

The question of what population does food insecurity affect has a complex answer, revealing a global crisis impacting diverse groups. While the causes differ between high-income and low-income countries, the human cost is consistent. Eradicating food insecurity requires not only increased food production but also addressing the structural inequalities and systemic drivers perpetuating the crisis. Urgent, comprehensive action is needed from governments, organizations, and individuals, tailored to the specific needs of vulnerable populations.

For more information on the global food crisis and efforts to combat it, the World Food Programme's website offers up-to-date reports and context {Link: WFP https://www.wfp.org/global-hunger-crisis}.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hunger is the individual-level physical sensation of discomfort caused by a lack of food. Food insecurity is a household-level measure, defined as the limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods, or the uncertain ability to acquire such foods in socially acceptable ways.

Yes, food insecurity is a significant issue in developed countries like the United States and Canada, where it is often driven by economic inequality, poverty, and other social determinants of health.

Food insecurity can lead to severe and long-lasting developmental impacts in children, including stunted physical growth, impaired cognitive function, and behavioral issues like anxiety and depression.

Seniors face a higher risk of food insecurity due to several factors, including fixed incomes that struggle with rising food and medical costs, health issues that complicate shopping and cooking, and social isolation.

Conflict is a leading cause of acute food insecurity globally. It disrupts food production and supply chains, displaces populations, and hinders humanitarian aid efforts, creating conditions of famine in some regions.

Yes, globally and across most regions, the prevalence of food insecurity is consistently higher among women than men, a gap that widened significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In most parts of the world, people living in rural areas are more likely to be food insecure than those in urban areas, though this pattern can differ depending on the region.