A new report on food security jointly prepared by five United Nations agencies estimates that some 645 million people – representing 7.8 per cent of the global population – faced hunger in 2025. Source: Vatican News.
The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, prepared by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the World Food Program, the World Health Organisation, the UN Children’s Fund, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, was launched at FAO headquarters in Rome this week.
At the launch, the FAO highlighted that the figure of 645 million indicates global hunger has declined across continents, with 14 million fewer people experiencing hunger than in 2024 and 43 million fewer than at the 2022 peak. It also noted that food security improved substantially, especially in South America and Southern Asia.
However, the UN agencies warn that the numbers remain alarming and that urgent action is needed, as geopolitical tensions and climate-related risks could threaten global food systems.
In an interview with Reuters, FAO chief economist Máximo Torero said that disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for energy and agricultural inputs, are among the greatest immediate concerns, especially because such disruptions drive up prices for fuel, fertilisers and transportation, increasing food production costs worldwide.
Moreover, the FAO economist observed that a potentially strong El Niño weather pattern could add further pressure by disrupting agricultural production in vulnerable regions.
At the report’s launch, FAO director-general Qu Dongyu said the report’s findings demonstrate “that determined policy action can deliver results”.
However, despite the positive developments, Dr Dongyu insisted that work must continue to sustain and accelerate recent gains.
The report found that some 309 million people in Africa remain undernourished and rapid population growth could result in the absolute number of hungry people increasing in the coming years.
While the prevalence of hunger on the continent declined from 20.3 per cent in 2024 to 20.0 per cent in 2025, which marked the first interruption of Africa’s upward hunger trend since 2017, the UN agencies reiterate that one in five Africans is facing hunger.
During the launch, the agencies emphasised “the need to keep food, energy and agricultural input markets open; avoid export restrictions; and strengthen targeted social protection programs for vulnerable populations.”
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UN Report: 645 million people faced hunger in 2025 (By Deborah Castellano Lubov, Vatican News)
