A new UN report reveals 2.69 billion people cannot afford a nutritious diet, even as global hunger rates show a slight decline.

A report from five UN agencies warns that 2.69 billion people globally cannot afford a healthy diet that meets their nutritional needs. While global hunger rates decreased to 7.8% in 2025 from 8.1% in 2024, experts emphasize that food affordability remains a critical challenge. The findings highlight that the cost of a healthy diet, estimated at 4.28 purchasing power parity dollars per day, exceeds the extreme poverty line.

Regional Hunger and Affordability

Africa now has the highest number of hungry people globally, with approximately 309 million individuals affected, surpassing Asia’s 292 million. In Africa, 66.6% of the population could not afford a healthy diet in 2025, a rate more than double that of Asia or Latin America and the Caribbean. Maximo Torero, chief economist of the Food and Agriculture Organization, noted that while the proportion of hungry people in Africa is beginning to decrease, the region faces challenges from reduced overseas development assistance and potential shipping disruptions.

Dietary Policies and Health Impacts

The report suggests that government policies have historically prioritized subsidizing starchy staples and cereals over nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy. This focus on calories over dietary diversity has contributed to rising obesity rates, which climbed from 12.1% in 2012 to 16.2% in 2024. Experts are calling for increased investment in infrastructure and supply chain efficiency to lower the costs of healthier food options and mitigate the long-term economic impacts of diet-related diseases.