Chapter 1 Target 2.1 of the Sustainable Development Goals: undernourishment and food insecurity

Key messages
  • In 2024, global hunger declined slightly, with the prevalence of undernourishment (PoU) dropping to 8.2 percent, yet the Arab States saw a worsening trend, reaching a record high of 15.8 percent and affecting 77.5 million people. This rise is driven by conflict, economic slowdown, inflation, climate change, and supply chain disruptions.
  • The PoU in high-income Arab countries remained below 2.5 percent in 2024, while the PoU in low-income countries sharply surged to 36.9 percent, reflecting compounded crises such as conflict, economic instability, and climate shocks. These disparities underscore significant socioeconomic inequalities and highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions across income groups to address hunger.
  • The prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in the Arab region rose to 40.2 percent in 2024 compared to 32.3 percent in 2015. This increase reflects the compounded impacts of conflict, economic instability, and climate shocks, particularly in countries and territories like Yemen, Libya, and Palestine. Low-income countries reported the highest levels, with nearly 70 percent of the population affected, including 29.6 percent facing severe food insecurity. In contrast, high-income countries saw improvements, with food insecurity declining to 13.3 percent in 2024 compared to 21.0 percent in 2015, highlighting stark disparities across income groups.