World Hunger Is Falling – We Know How To Keep It That Way

World hunger continued its downward trend in 2025, marking the third consecutive year of decline, according to recent data released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The global number of people facing chronic hunger dropped to an estimated 645 million, representing a decrease of 14 million compared to 2024 and 43 million since reaching its peak in 2022. Meanwhile, the number of individuals experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity fell by 86 million, down to 2.1 billion from 2024 to 2025. This decline challenges long-held assumptions that rising hunger is an unavoidable consequence of conflict, climate change, and economic instability. Experts suggest that when governments implement coordinated strategies, combining social protection programs, investments in agriculture, and sound economic policies, they can significantly reduce hunger. These efforts have shown promising results in several regions, despite varying historical contexts. In Asia, the rate of hunger has fallen to roughly one-quarter of its 2015 levels. Latin America and the Caribbean have similarly seen improvements, with rates dropping below those recorded a decade earlier. In Africa, the region experienced its first reduction in hunger rates in nearly a decade, decreasing from 20.3 percent in 2024 to 20 percent in 2025. However, this progress remains fragile due to rapid population growth, which maintained the number of hungry people at around 309 million. This slight improvement is particularly notable given that bilateral development aid to sub-Saharan Africa decreased by 26.3 percent in 2025 and is expected to drop further in 2026. Several countries have demonstrated significant success in reducing hunger through targeted policies. India reduced its hunger rate from 21.1 percent in the mid-2000s to 9.8 percent. Senegal saw a similar decline, moving from 15.8 percent to 5.3 percent. Rwanda's rate dropped from 31.8 percent to 22.6 percent, while Peru's fell from 17.9 percent to 5.7 percent. Countries such as Brazil, Chile, the Dominican Republic, and Guyana now report hunger rates below 2.5 percent. Despite their different backgrounds, these nations share common elements in their approaches: social protections that maintain household purchasing power, investments that boost agricultural output, and infrastructure projects that improve rural access to markets. These policies work best when implemented together, reinforcing each other to create sustainable reductions in hunger. However, experts warn that some governments might misinterpret the recent improvements as justification for reducing support. This could lead to a dangerous shift in priorities, especially as new threats emerge. The Middle East conflict and disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz are already increasing costs for essential goods. The strait plays a crucial role in transporting not only oil and liquefied natural gas but also sulfur, fertilizers, and other agricultural inputs. These developments could trigger a broader food price crisis within six to 12 months if current trends continue unchecked. Climate-related risks also pose a growing concern. El Niño conditions are intensifying, with an 81 percent chance of developing into a very strong event later this year. While this does not guarantee crop failures, it increases the likelihood of extreme weather patterns affecting major agricultural areas. Such conditions could reverse recent gains unless proactive measures are taken. Additionally, there is a risk that governments will reduce humanitarian and development funding during times when vulnerable populations need support the most. Cuts in aid do not eliminate costs; instead, they shift the burden onto food-importing nations, humanitarian organizations, and families already struggling to afford basic necessities. Preventing hunger remains a critical goal, but the real challenge lies in ensuring that people not only avoid starvation but also enjoy nutritious diets. As the world continues to navigate complex geopolitical and environmental challenges, the lessons learned from past successes must guide future actions to sustain and expand the progress achieved so far.