Although the number of people experiencing hunger worldwide is gradually declining, the world is still far from eliminating food insecurity, according to a new assessment by United Nations agencies.
The latest global review shows that millions of people continue to struggle to obtain enough food, with Africa carrying the greatest share of the burden despite improvements recorded in several other parts of the world. The findings underscore that while recovery is underway in some regions, it has not been equally shared.
The report estimates that approximately 645 million people lived with hunger in 2025. This represents a slight improvement compared with previous years and marks the third consecutive annual decline in global hunger levels. However, the pace of progress remains too slow to meet the international goal of ending hunger by 2030.
According to the UN agencies, recent gains have been supported by stronger agricultural output, improved economic conditions in some countries, and expanded social protection programmes that have helped vulnerable households cope with rising living costs. Nevertheless, these positive developments have not reached every region equally.
Africa continues to face the most severe food security challenges. Hundreds of millions of people across the continent remain undernourished, driven by a combination of armed conflicts, economic hardship, climate-related shocks, and rapid population growth. These factors continue to disrupt farming activities, reduce food availability, and make nutritious meals increasingly difficult to afford.
The report also points to Western Asia as another region where hunger remains a serious concern. In contrast, countries across Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean have generally made greater progress in improving food access over the past few years, reflecting differences in economic recovery and investments in food systems.
Beyond hunger itself, the report highlights the growing problem of diet affordability. Many families may have enough food to survive but still cannot afford meals that provide the nutrients needed for good health. As a result, poor-quality diets continue to contribute to malnutrition in all its forms, including vitamin deficiencies, childhood stunting, overweight, and obesity.
Experts warn that global food security remains vulnerable to future shocks. Extreme weather events linked to climate change, ongoing conflicts, inflation, and disruptions to international trade all have the potential to reverse recent improvements if countries do not strengthen their food systems.
The report urges governments to invest in climate-resilient agriculture, support small-scale farmers, improve access to nutritious foods, and expand programmes that protect low-income households from food insecurity. Such measures, the agencies say, are essential to ensure that progress reaches populations currently being left behind.
While the latest figures suggest that the world is moving in the right direction, the report makes it clear that the fight against hunger is far from over. Without faster and more inclusive action, millions of people could still face chronic hunger by the end of this decade.
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