Hunger Is Falling, But Not for Everyone: Key Takeaways from the SOFI 2025 Report
As leaders gathered in Addis Ababa for the UN Food Systems Summit +4, the United Nations released its much-anticipated State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2025 report. The findings are both encouraging and sobering.
A Glimmer of Progress
The data shows global hunger declined slightly in 2024, with an estimated 673 million people chronically undernourished—down from 735 million in 2022. There were also modest improvements in regions like Southern Asia and Latin America, where hunger rates dropped to pre-pandemic levels.
But these gains are fragile—and not shared equally.
Persistent Inequities
In Africa and Western Asia, hunger is still on the rise. More than 307 million people in Africa—or one in five—face chronic undernourishment. The report warns that by 2030, nearly 60% of the world’s hungry will live on the African continent.
At the same time, 2.3 billion people worldwide experienced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2024—335 million more than before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inflation and Affordability
Food price inflation remains a key driver of food insecurity. While the global number of people unable to afford a healthy diet fell slightly, the trend is worsening in low-income countries, where more than 545 million people now face affordability barriers. Inflation in these countries peaked at nearly 30% in 2023, disproportionately affecting vulnerable households.
Nutrition Still Off Track
Despite some progress in reducing child stunting, other indicators remain stubborn:
Child wasting and overweight rates have plateaued.
Anaemia among women has increased.
Adult obesity continues to rise globally.
What Needs to Happen
SOFI 2025 makes it clear: progress is possible, but only with coordinated action. The report calls for:
Targeted social protection programs to buffer price shocks.
Sustained public and private investment in food systems innovation and infrastructure.
Policy coherence across agriculture, health, climate, and social protection sectors.
At FSF, we echo these calls. A better food future requires bold investment, inclusive governance, and relentless accountability—especially for those most at risk of being left behind.
🔗 Read the full SOFI 2025 report here