LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition 2023: Statistics and Trends

The 2023 edition of the Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean presents the main indicators of hunger, food insecurity, malnutrition in all its forms and those related to the cost and affordability of a healthy diet, in order to contribute to the analysis of food security and nutrition as fundamental pillars for the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis and the conflict in Ukraine, as well as the economic slowdown, rising food inflation and income inequality, have had an impact on regional figures. The most recent data shows that, between 2021 and 2022, progress was made in reducing hunger and food insecurity in Latin America and the Caribbean. However, the progress achieved is still far from the targets established to meet SDG 2 of ending hunger.

The persistent challenges affecting the region have generated important differences between its subregions. In South America, a slight decrease in hunger and food insecurity was recorded between 2021 and 2022. In Mesoamerica, these indicators remained at similar levels. However, in the Caribbean, both indicators increased, mainly due to the food emergency in Haiti.

Food insecurity continues to affect different groups of the population unequally, with women and residents of rural areas being the most vulnerable. Women face greater food insecurity than men, and although the figure has been reduced in 2022, the gap registered at the regional level is even higher than the global estimate. Additionally, rural and peri-urban populations experience a higher prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity than those living in urban areas.

Furthermore, malnutrition in all its forms, including childhood stunting, micronutrient deficiencies, overweight and obesity, continue to be a challenge for the region.

Stunting in children under 5 years of age has been reduced, but there are still lagging territories in some countries of the region with a high prevalence of this condition. At the same time, the prevalence of overweight in children under 5 years of age is increasing and has exceeded the global estimates. Meanwhile, a quarter of the adult population lives with obesity.

In addition, one in five people in the region cannot access a healthy diet. The cost of a healthy diet increased between 2018 and 2021 in Latin America and the Caribbean, reaching the highest cost compared to other regions in the world, a trend that is especially evident in the Caribbean.

In the current context, it is imperative to move towards the transformation of agrifood systems in coordination with the strengthening of health and social protection systems, through comprehensive actions and systemic and multisectoral approaches. It is crucial to prioritize the development of sustainable value chains that promote nutrition, boost agrifood markets and trade, regulate food promotion and advertising, and encourage the development of healthy food environments.

Numerous regional institutions and organizations have joined forces to promote food security and better nutrition in the region. This includes the collaboration of several specialized agencies to follow up on the United Nations Food Systems Summit, the process of updating the Plan for Food Security and Nutrition and the Eradication of Hunger of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CEL AC), and the work of the Parliamentary Front against Hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean, among others.

At a critical moment, halfway to the deadline to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Latin America and the Caribbean must create the conditions to accelerate compliance with the targets of SDG 2 and the indicators established at the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2). In this regard, it is necessary to improve access to nutritious foods and close gaps between countries with a special focus on the most vulnerable groups. The capacity of Latin America and the Caribbean as a food-producing region is, and will continue to be, an essential pillar on this path and for global food security.

We hope that this report will be an important contribution to placing the eradication of hunger and the reduction of all forms of malnutrition at the center of investments and public policies in the region. We will not be able to address inequalities in Latin America and the Caribbean, or move towards a more just region, without guaranteeing food security and nutrition. Let's continue working together to leave no one behind.