645 Million Still Hungry as Africa Becomes World’s Hunger Epicenter
2.69 billion people can’t afford a healthy diet, and Africa has now overtaken Asia as the global hunger hotspot, with progress toward ending hunger stalling far short of the 2030 goal.
Global hunger fell for the third straight year in 2025, but the United Nations warns that progress is “fragile, unevenly distributed and insufficient” [201232]. According to the UN’s annual report, 645 million people still faced hunger last year, far short of the goal to end hunger entirely by 2030 [201232]. The report from five UN agencies also reveals that 2.69 billion people—one in three globally—cannot afford to eat a healthy diet, as the cost of fruit, vegetables, and dairy remains too high for billions [201970].
Africa has now become the epicenter of the world’s food crisis, accounting for the highest number of hungry people globally [201991]. The continent is on track to house nearly 60 percent of the world’s chronically undernourished people, marking a major shift from Asia, which held the largest share for decades [201193]. Rising food insecurity, conflict, and climate shocks in Africa have pushed the region to the top [201193].
Experts warn that without urgent action, the world will fail to meet the Sustainable Development Goal of zero hunger by 2030 [201134]. The gains remain vulnerable to conflicts, climate shocks, and economic instability [201232]. The report calls for governments to lower food costs and improve supply chains to make healthy eating affordable for all [201970].