Chapter 1 Sustainable Development Target 2.1: Undernourishment and Food Insecurity

Key messages
  • Undernourishment in the Arab States has reached a new height. The prevalence of undernourishment (PoU) increased by 0.6 percent in 2023 from the previous year and reached 14 percent. There were 66.1 million undernourished people in 2023, an increase of 4 million from 2022. PoU was the highest in low-income countries, reaching 31.1 percent, and Arab States least developed countries (LDCs) with 28.8 percent.
  • The gap in undernourishment between countries affected by conflict and countries not affected by conflict in the region continued to increase in 2023 as the increasing number and magnitude of conflicts are significant drivers of food insecurity in the region. The PoU was four times higher in countries affected by conflict (26.4 percent) than in countries not affected by conflict (6.6 percent). Somalia had the highest PoU (51.3) percent, followed by Yemen (39.5 percent), the Syrian Arab Republic (34 percent), and the Comoros (16.9 percent).
  • In 2023, moderate or severe food insecurity in the Arab region reached 39.4 percent (186.5 million individuals), a 1.1 percentage point increase from the previous year. 15.4 percent of the population (72.7 million people) faced severe food insecurity in 2023. Conflict-affected countries housed the largest share of severely food-insecure individuals in 2023, totalling 44.1 million people. Escalating conflicts in countries such as the Sudan and Palestine suggest a continuation of this upward trend. Low-income countries faced the highest rates, with 68.5 percent experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity.
  • In Gaza, the conflict has resulted in an unprecedented death toll, destruction and mass displacement, combined with heavy restrictions on commercial goods, while humanitarian assistance faces extreme access constraints. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) acute food insecurity analysis from December 2023 highlighted an alarming risk of famine. By June 2024, the whole population of Gaza experienced high levels of food insecurity at Phase 3 (Crisis) or higher. Half of the Gaza Strip’s population (1.11 million people) was expected to face catastrophic conditions (IPC Phase 5).