Nearly one in three people worldwide is struggling to afford a nutritious diet, sparking alarm over the world's ability to meet its goal of zero hunger by 2030. A stark new report from five United Nations agencies reveals that 2.69 billion individuals lack the financial means to access a balanced and diverse diet that meets their energy needs, posing significant challenges to global food security.
The 'State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2026' report highlights a persistent affordability crisis, despite some progress in reducing global hunger rates. Maximo Torero, chief economist at the FAO, notes that one-third of people are unable to afford a healthy diet, with this proportion remaining "extremely high". The report calculates the cost of a healthy diet at 4.28 purchasing power parity (PPP) dollars per day – a figure well above the $3 PPP extreme poverty line.
Government policies often focus on subsidising staple crops like cereals and starchy staples, providing calories but neglecting dietary diversity. This approach contributes to rising rates of obesity and diet-related diseases such as cancer and diabetes, according to data from the World Health Organization. Adult obesity has increased globally from 12.1% in 2012 to 16.2% in 2024.
The report calls for significant investment in infrastructure, research, and development to address this pressing issue. Improved supply chains could reduce food costs, while new policies encouraging greater fruit and vegetable consumption could yield substantial health benefits. Meanwhile, Africa has overtaken Asia as the continent with the highest number of hungry people, with approximately 309 million individuals unable to afford a healthy diet.
The report highlights that 66.6% of Africans are struggling to access nutritious food – more than double the proportion seen in Asia or Latin America and the Caribbean. While Africa's population is growing rapidly, this trend poses significant challenges for global food security. Ongoing conflict in the Middle East may further exacerbate these issues next year, with shipping restrictions through the Strait of Hormuz potentially impacting global food prices and availability.