Where We Are
Global hunger and food insecurity showed modest improvement in 2024, with an estimated 8.2 per cent of the population undernourished, down from 8.5 in 2023. Food insecurity continues to impact nearly 2.3 billion people around the world. While South America and parts of Asia have seen declines, hunger is rising in sub-Saharan Africa, where more than one in five people are undernourished.
Malnutrition remains widespread, with 150 million children under five experiencing stunted growth and nearly one in three women of reproductive age living with anaemia. Limited dietary diversity compounds these challenges, particularly in low-income regions.
Achieving zero hunger requires urgent efforts to strengthen food systems, lower food price volatility, and ensure access to nutritious diets.
SDG 2 in Numbers
- In 2024, 1 in 12 people faced hunger worldwide.
- About 28 per cent – nearly 2.3 billion people – were moderately or severely food insecure.
- 23.2 per cent of children had stunted growth, and 6.6 per cent of children under the age of 5 were affected by wasting in 2024.
- Globally, only two-thirds (65 per cent) of women aged 15–49 years attained minimum dietary diversity between 2019 and 2023.
- Global public expenditures on agriculture reached a record high of $701 billion in 2023, reflecting a 2 per cent average annual growth since 2015.
“Hunger is not a crisis bound to one place or time: it’s a chronic catastrophe. […] The time to act is now. Let’s end hunger, together.”
– António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, 16 May 2025
News Features
- Slight decrease in global hunger as inequalities widen, UN report reveals
- Deputy UN chief urges bold action to transform food systems at global summit in Addis Ababa
Upcoming Conferences
Second World Summit for Social Development | Doha, Qatar | 4- 6 November
Website: https://social.desa.un.org/world-summit-2025
Programme: https://social.desa.un.org/world-summit-2025/programme
Participation details: https://social.desa.un.org/world-summit-2025/participate
UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) | Belém, Brazil | 10 -21 November
Website: https://unfccc.int/cop30
Programme: https://unfccc.int/documents/649532
Participation details:https://unfccc.int/cop30/ifp#Registration
Key Events
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World Food Day 2025 celebrates the 80th anniversary of FAO, with the theme, “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future”. The global campaign calls for action from governments, farmers, communities, international organizations, and each and every one of us to work together to transform our agrifood systems. With hundreds of millions still facing hunger and many more unable to afford a healthy diet, the time for collective action is now. Celebrate #FAO80 and explore flagship events here.
United Nations Day marks the UN’s founding in 1945. It is a symbol of hope for global unity, a reminder of the UN’s unique role in shaping a better future, and a call to recommit to the principles of the Charter that have guided us for 80 years. Explore the history of the UN here.
International Days and Years
11 | International Day of the Girl Child
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The 2025 International Day of the Girl theme is ‘The girl I am, the change I lead: Girls on the frontlines of crisis’. From organizing in their communities, fighting for climate justice, and demanding an end to violence, girls all around the world are confronting the world’s biggest challenges. 30 years on since the Beijing Declaration – the world’s blueprint for gender equality – International Day of the Girl recognizes the power of girls, their voices, and their limitless potential.
13 | International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
The rising cost of disasters around the world reflects the growing impact of climate change and poor development choices. Developing nations bear the heaviest toll, while wealthier countries face steep financial losses. The 2025 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) calls for increasing funding for DRR in public and international budgets, as well as ensuring all development and private investments are risk-informed and resilient. Join the conversation and raise awareness for the need for disaster risk reduction for all.
15 | International Day of Rural Women
Women are responsible for half of the world’s food production and serve as vital stewards of land and biodiversity. From Indigenous conservation practices to rural climate movements, they are on the frontlines of the crisis and uniquely positioned as agents of change. Learn more about their impact and how you can support their leadership.
17 | International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty recognizes that ending poverty is about dignity, justice and belonging, not just income. Families in poverty often face stigma and punitive practices in places meant to help: schools, clinics, welfare offices, and child protection systems. Learn more about this year’s theme on ending social and institutional maltreatment by ensuring respect and effective support for families.
ACTNOW for our Common Future
ActNow is the United Nations campaign to inspire people to act for the Sustainable Development Goals. The Goals can improve life for all of us. Cleaner air. Equal opportunities. A peaceful world. These issues matter to everyone. But progress is too slow. We have to act, urgently to accelerate changes that add up to better lives on a healthier planet. Join the campaign to learn — and do — more for #OurCommonFuture.
Visit ActNow: https://www.un.org/actnow
The World Food Programme (WFP) delivers food relief to more than 120 countries across the world suffering the impacts of conflicts, disasters and climate change. In this episode, Matthew Hollingworth, WFP’s Representative and Country Director in Ukraine, reflects on his daily struggle to tackle famine in Gaza, on the apocalyptic scale of the destruction there, and on the morale boost he gets from working with extraordinary colleagues on the ground. The full episode can be found here.
Discover all the episodes and previous seasons here -> https://pod.link/1429922419
