Africa surpasses Asia with highest population facing hunger, says UN, Pg16

Key Highlights:

• Africa has for the first time surpassed Asia in the number of people facing hunger, according to a United Nations report.
• The finding was published in The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2026 report, released on July 21, 2026.
• The report, a joint effort by FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO, indicated that 309 million people in Africa faced hunger in 2025.
• In contrast, 292 million people in Asia experienced hunger during the same period.
• Globally, 645 million people, or 7.8% of the population, faced hunger in 2025, a decrease from 8.6% in 2022.

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Detailed Insights:

• The shift in the "centre of gravity of hunger" from Asia to Africa highlights uneven global progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger).
• Approximately 20% of Africa's population faced hunger in 2025, compared to about 6% of Asia's population.
• A significant challenge in Africa is the affordability of healthy diets, with two-thirds (66.6%) of its population unable to afford one.
• Factors contributing to rising hunger in Africa include rapid population growth, climate extremes, conflicts, and economic slowdowns.
• The report suggests that African nations should prioritize developing animal-source food production and supply systems, which are currently expensive in the region.
• Countries like China have made significant strides in controlling hunger, while India is also intensifying its efforts.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Undernourishment: A state of insufficient food intake to meet dietary energy requirements over a prolonged period.
• Food Security: The condition where all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.
• Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2): A United Nations goal aiming to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030.