Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the global Food Price Index averaged 143.7 points, 14.3% higher than 2021
- Wheat prices surged 42.4% year-on-year in 2022 due to Ukraine crisis
- Vegetable oil prices rose 25.1% in 2022, peaking at 191 points in March
- In 2022, 735 million people, or 9.2% of the global population, faced hunger, an increase of 122 million since 2019
- Sub-Saharan Africa had the highest prevalence of undernourishment at 20.4% in 2022, affecting nearly 278 million people
- Between 2019 and 2022, the number of people in severe food insecurity rose by 150 million to 2.4 billion
- Global aid for food security totaled $12.5 billion in 2022, insufficient for needs
- To end hunger by 2030, annual investment needed is $40 billion through 2030
- Climate change could increase undernourished by 80 million by 2050 under current trends
- Globally, 148.1 million children under 5 were stunted in 2022, 35.5 million wasted
- 45.2 million children under 5 suffered from wasting in 2022, highest in South Asia
- Overweight prevalence among children under 5 reached 37 million globally in 2022
- In 2022, global cereal production reached 2,784 million tonnes, a record high increasing 1.2% from 2021
- World wheat production in 2022/23 was projected at 803.8 million tonnes, up 1.3% year-on-year
- Maize production hit 1,152 million tonnes in 2022, supported by favorable weather in major producers
In 2022, hunger and healthy diet costs surged as food prices spiked and billions fell short.
Affordability and Prices
Affordability and Prices Interpretation
Hunger Prevalence
Hunger Prevalence Interpretation
Interventions and Projections
Interventions and Projections Interpretation
Nutritional Outcomes
Nutritional Outcomes Interpretation
Production and Supply
Production and Supply Interpretation
How We Rate Confidence
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.
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
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
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
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
Timothy Grant. (2026, February 13). Global Food Security Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/global-food-security-statistics
Timothy Grant. "Global Food Security Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/global-food-security-statistics.
Timothy Grant. 2026. "Global Food Security Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/global-food-security-statistics.
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- Reference 20CIMMYTcimmyt.org
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