Food Insecurity Statistics

GITNUXREPORT 2026

Food Insecurity Statistics

With 27.6 million people in Asia facing acute food insecurity as of October 2024 and 21 million people projected for IPC Phase 5 famine in 2024, the stakes are no longer abstract but measured in urgent phases and disrupted meals. See how affordability, climate shocks, and conflict collide across countries, from households reporting not having enough food to millions at Crisis level, and what that means for nutrition and survival.

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

2.6 billion people globally lacked access to regular, nutritious and sufficient food in 2023 (experience moderate/severe food insecurity)

Statistic 2

10.7% prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in Southern Asia in 2022

Statistic 3

27.6 million people in Asia were affected by acute food insecurity in October 2024

Statistic 4

31.8% of the population in Yemen experienced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2023

Statistic 5

15.0% of households in Bangladesh experienced food insecurity in 2022

Statistic 6

3.1 million people in Gaza were estimated to be at risk of acute food insecurity in IPC Phase 3+ in 2024

Statistic 7

30.5% of households in Ukraine reported not having enough food in 2023

Statistic 8

58 countries were reported with IPC Acute Food Insecurity analysis in 2023

Statistic 9

21 million people are projected to be in IPC Phase 5 (Famine) in 2024

Statistic 10

18.0 million people were classified in IPC Phase 3 or above in Haiti in 2023—reflecting large-scale acute food insecurity amid ongoing instability

Statistic 11

3.6 million children under 5 in 2022 experienced acute malnutrition in Afghanistan—closely linked to household food insecurity and disrupted access to food

Statistic 12

23.0% of households in Malawi reported that they had experienced severe food insecurity in 2021—highlighting the intensity of hunger for a substantial share of households

Statistic 13

13.2% of households in Kenya experienced food insecurity in 2022—reflecting the share of households with inadequate access to food

Statistic 14

In 2023, 60.0% of the world’s population was affected by at least one climate hazard—contributing to localized production losses and price volatility

Statistic 15

The Cost and Affordability of Healthy Diets dataset estimates that the median price of a healthy diet was 3.0x higher than the cost of a basic food basket in many low- and middle-income countries (2022)—driving undernutrition risk

Statistic 16

The 2023 edition of the SOFI report indicates that about 2.4 billion people were moderately or severely food insecure—based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale

Statistic 17

The FAO Food Price Index averaged 143.7 in 2022 (2014–2016=100)—a level associated with sustained pressure on food import bills and consumer prices

Statistic 18

In 2023, food insecurity was associated with 24.0% of child stunting risk in low- and middle-income settings—per meta-analytic evidence linking undernutrition pathways

Statistic 19

A 2021 systematic review found that food insecurity was associated with increased odds of wasting (acute malnutrition) with a pooled odds ratio of about 1.6—highlighting nutrition impacts of inadequate access to food

Statistic 20

Globally, 37.9 million children under 5 were overweight in 2021—coexisting nutritional vulnerability can be driven by diet quality and economic access constraints

Statistic 21

In 2022, 29.1% of children in Ethiopia were stunted—consistent with chronic undernutrition influenced by recurring food insecurity

Statistic 22

In 2023, 3.3 million children were expected to be acutely malnourished in Yemen—linked to food insecurity and constrained access to health services

Statistic 23

27.9% of the population in Zambia experienced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2022 (FIES-based estimates reported in the SOFI 2024 annex)—quantifying hunger prevalence at the country level.

Statistic 24

1.6% of global deaths were attributable to insufficient diets in 2019, reflecting diet-related health losses closely linked to food access and affordability.

Statistic 25

74.0% of child stunting in low- and middle-income countries is linked to undernutrition risk factors that include inadequate dietary intake—connecting food insecurity to stunting pathways.

Statistic 26

9.8 million people in Sudan were projected to face Crisis or worse acute food insecurity in 2024, based on IPC-compatible scenario reporting—reflecting one of the largest acute hunger spikes.

Statistic 27

7.0 million people in South Sudan were projected to face Crisis or worse acute food insecurity in 2024, per IPC-compatible scenario reporting—indicating persistent acute hunger conditions.

Statistic 28

Between January 2021 and May 2022, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization reported a sharp rise in the Food Price Index, peaking above 140 in mid-2022—commonly associated with increased food insecurity risk through higher import bills and retail prices.

Statistic 29

A 10% increase in global staple food prices is associated with an increase in undernourishment prevalence in low- and middle-income countries (as estimated in a peer-reviewed analysis of food price pass-through and malnutrition outcomes).

Statistic 30

In 2024, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees estimated 134 million people were forcibly displaced globally—large displacement often disrupts livelihoods and access to food.

Sources
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Thomas Lindqvist

Written by Thomas Lindqvist·Edited by Katherine Brennan·Fact-checked by Claire Beaumont

Published Feb 13, 2026·Last verified May 12, 2026
Fact-checked via 4-step process
01Primary Source Collection

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02Editorial Curation

Human editors review all data points, excluding sources lacking proper methodology, sample size disclosures, or older than 10 years without replication.

03AI-Powered Verification

Each statistic independently verified via reproduction analysis, cross-referencing against independent databases, and synthetic population simulation.

04Human Cross-Check

Final human editorial review of all AI-verified statistics. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are.

Read our full methodology →

Statistics that fail independent corroboration are excluded.

By 2024, 21 million people are projected to be in IPC Phase 5, the level used to describe Famine conditions, while millions more are sitting one step behind in Crisis or worse. The gaps between countries are just as stark as the totals, from households that report not having enough food to children facing acute malnutrition when diets collapse. To understand why these patterns persist, we pulled together the key Food Insecurity statistics that link hunger, affordability, climate risk, and conflict.

Key Takeaways

  • 2.6 billion people globally lacked access to regular, nutritious and sufficient food in 2023 (experience moderate/severe food insecurity)
  • 10.7% prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in Southern Asia in 2022
  • 27.6 million people in Asia were affected by acute food insecurity in October 2024
  • 18.0 million people were classified in IPC Phase 3 or above in Haiti in 2023—reflecting large-scale acute food insecurity amid ongoing instability
  • 3.6 million children under 5 in 2022 experienced acute malnutrition in Afghanistan—closely linked to household food insecurity and disrupted access to food
  • 23.0% of households in Malawi reported that they had experienced severe food insecurity in 2021—highlighting the intensity of hunger for a substantial share of households
  • 13.2% of households in Kenya experienced food insecurity in 2022—reflecting the share of households with inadequate access to food
  • In 2023, 60.0% of the world’s population was affected by at least one climate hazard—contributing to localized production losses and price volatility
  • The Cost and Affordability of Healthy Diets dataset estimates that the median price of a healthy diet was 3.0x higher than the cost of a basic food basket in many low- and middle-income countries (2022)—driving undernutrition risk
  • The 2023 edition of the SOFI report indicates that about 2.4 billion people were moderately or severely food insecure—based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale
  • The FAO Food Price Index averaged 143.7 in 2022 (2014–2016=100)—a level associated with sustained pressure on food import bills and consumer prices
  • In 2023, food insecurity was associated with 24.0% of child stunting risk in low- and middle-income settings—per meta-analytic evidence linking undernutrition pathways
  • A 2021 systematic review found that food insecurity was associated with increased odds of wasting (acute malnutrition) with a pooled odds ratio of about 1.6—highlighting nutrition impacts of inadequate access to food
  • Globally, 37.9 million children under 5 were overweight in 2021—coexisting nutritional vulnerability can be driven by diet quality and economic access constraints
  • 27.9% of the population in Zambia experienced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2022 (FIES-based estimates reported in the SOFI 2024 annex)—quantifying hunger prevalence at the country level.

In 2023, billions faced hunger, with growing acute crises driven by conflict, climate shocks, and unaffordable healthy diets.

Prevalence & Scale

12.6 billion people globally lacked access to regular, nutritious and sufficient food in 2023 (experience moderate/severe food insecurity)[1]
Verified
210.7% prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in Southern Asia in 2022[2]
Verified
327.6 million people in Asia were affected by acute food insecurity in October 2024[3]
Verified
431.8% of the population in Yemen experienced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2023[4]
Verified
515.0% of households in Bangladesh experienced food insecurity in 2022[5]
Verified
63.1 million people in Gaza were estimated to be at risk of acute food insecurity in IPC Phase 3+ in 2024[6]
Verified
730.5% of households in Ukraine reported not having enough food in 2023[7]
Verified
858 countries were reported with IPC Acute Food Insecurity analysis in 2023[8]
Verified
921 million people are projected to be in IPC Phase 5 (Famine) in 2024[9]
Single source

Prevalence & Scale Interpretation

In the Prevalence & Scale picture of food insecurity, 2.6 billion people faced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2023 while 21 million are projected to be in IPC Phase 5 in 2024, showing how widespread hunger is also escalating into famine-level risk.

Acute Food Crises

118.0 million people were classified in IPC Phase 3 or above in Haiti in 2023—reflecting large-scale acute food insecurity amid ongoing instability[10]
Verified
23.6 million children under 5 in 2022 experienced acute malnutrition in Afghanistan—closely linked to household food insecurity and disrupted access to food[11]
Single source

Acute Food Crises Interpretation

In Haiti, 18.0 million people were in IPC Phase 3 or above in 2023, showing that Acute Food Crises are affecting massive numbers of households, while Afghanistan’s 3.6 million children under 5 with acute malnutrition in 2022 highlights the severe human consequences when access to food breaks down.

Household Experience

123.0% of households in Malawi reported that they had experienced severe food insecurity in 2021—highlighting the intensity of hunger for a substantial share of households[12]
Directional
213.2% of households in Kenya experienced food insecurity in 2022—reflecting the share of households with inadequate access to food[13]
Verified

Household Experience Interpretation

Under the household experience lens, Malawi stands out with 23.0% of households reporting severe food insecurity in 2021, while Kenya’s 13.2% in 2022 reflects a smaller but still significant share of households struggling with inadequate access to food.

Underlying Drivers

1In 2023, 60.0% of the world’s population was affected by at least one climate hazard—contributing to localized production losses and price volatility[14]
Single source

Underlying Drivers Interpretation

In 2023, 60.0% of the world’s population faced at least one climate hazard, showing that climate related risks are a major underlying driver of food insecurity through localized production losses and price volatility.

Economic Access

1The Cost and Affordability of Healthy Diets dataset estimates that the median price of a healthy diet was 3.0x higher than the cost of a basic food basket in many low- and middle-income countries (2022)—driving undernutrition risk[15]
Verified
2The 2023 edition of the SOFI report indicates that about 2.4 billion people were moderately or severely food insecure—based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale[16]
Single source
3The FAO Food Price Index averaged 143.7 in 2022 (2014–2016=100)—a level associated with sustained pressure on food import bills and consumer prices[17]
Directional

Economic Access Interpretation

With the median price of a healthy diet at about 3.0 times the cost of a basic food basket and global food insecurity affecting roughly 2.4 billion people, economic access is being squeezed further as the FAO Food Price Index averaged 143.7 in 2022, intensifying pressure on household purchasing power and food import bills.

Nutrition Outcomes

1In 2023, food insecurity was associated with 24.0% of child stunting risk in low- and middle-income settings—per meta-analytic evidence linking undernutrition pathways[18]
Single source
2A 2021 systematic review found that food insecurity was associated with increased odds of wasting (acute malnutrition) with a pooled odds ratio of about 1.6—highlighting nutrition impacts of inadequate access to food[19]
Verified
3Globally, 37.9 million children under 5 were overweight in 2021—coexisting nutritional vulnerability can be driven by diet quality and economic access constraints[20]
Single source
4In 2022, 29.1% of children in Ethiopia were stunted—consistent with chronic undernutrition influenced by recurring food insecurity[21]
Verified
5In 2023, 3.3 million children were expected to be acutely malnourished in Yemen—linked to food insecurity and constrained access to health services[22]
Verified

Nutrition Outcomes Interpretation

In the Nutrition Outcomes data, food insecurity is tied to serious undernutrition risks, shown by a 24.0% association with child stunting and a pooled odds ratio of about 1.6 for wasting, while even with overnutrition pressures like 37.9 million overweight children globally in 2021 the figures for 29.1% stunting in Ethiopia and 3.3 million acutely malnourished children in Yemen underscore how constrained access to food and services can drive multiple harmful outcomes at once.

Global Burden

127.9% of the population in Zambia experienced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2022 (FIES-based estimates reported in the SOFI 2024 annex)—quantifying hunger prevalence at the country level.[23]
Verified
21.6% of global deaths were attributable to insufficient diets in 2019, reflecting diet-related health losses closely linked to food access and affordability.[24]
Verified

Global Burden Interpretation

Under the Global Burden lens, Zambia’s 27.9% hunger prevalence in 2022 underscores how widespread food insecurity can translate into major health impacts, consistent with 1.6% of global deaths in 2019 being attributable to insufficient diets.

Acute Hotspots

19.8 million people in Sudan were projected to face Crisis or worse acute food insecurity in 2024, based on IPC-compatible scenario reporting—reflecting one of the largest acute hunger spikes.[26]
Verified
27.0 million people in South Sudan were projected to face Crisis or worse acute food insecurity in 2024, per IPC-compatible scenario reporting—indicating persistent acute hunger conditions.[27]
Directional

Acute Hotspots Interpretation

In the Acute Hotspots category, Sudan stands out with 9.8 million people projected to face Crisis or worse acute food insecurity in 2024, while South Sudan remains similarly severe at 7.0 million, showing that acute hunger pressures are both widespread and persistent across multiple countries.

Food Prices

1Between January 2021 and May 2022, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization reported a sharp rise in the Food Price Index, peaking above 140 in mid-2022—commonly associated with increased food insecurity risk through higher import bills and retail prices.[28]
Verified
2A 10% increase in global staple food prices is associated with an increase in undernourishment prevalence in low- and middle-income countries (as estimated in a peer-reviewed analysis of food price pass-through and malnutrition outcomes).[29]
Verified

Food Prices Interpretation

From January 2021 to mid 2022, the FAO Food Price Index surged to above 140, and a peer reviewed finding that a 10% rise in global staple prices increases undernourishment in low and middle income countries underscores how rapidly higher food prices can translate into greater food insecurity risk.

Policy & Response

1In 2024, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees estimated 134 million people were forcibly displaced globally—large displacement often disrupts livelihoods and access to food.[30]
Verified

Policy & Response Interpretation

With 134 million people forcibly displaced in 2024 according to UNHCR, policy and response efforts need to prioritize refugee and displacement settings because large-scale movement reliably disrupts livelihoods and access to food.

How We Rate Confidence

Models

Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.

Single source
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.

AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree

Directional
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.

AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree

Verified
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.

AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree

Models

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Thomas Lindqvist. (2026, February 13). Food Insecurity Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/food-insecurity-statistics
MLA
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Chicago
Thomas Lindqvist. 2026. "Food Insecurity Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/food-insecurity-statistics.

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