Key facts
- 2.69 billion people globally cannot afford a healthy diet.
- The daily cost of a healthy diet is $4.28 in purchasing power parity (PPP) dollars.
- Africa has the highest number of hungry people, with 309 million affected.
- 66.6% of Africa's population could not afford a healthy diet in 2025.
- Adult obesity rates increased from 12.1% in 2012 to 16.2% in 2024.
A new report from five UN agencies reveals that one in three people globally, approximately 2.69 billion individuals, cannot afford to eat a healthy diet. The annual 'State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2026' report calculated the cost of a healthy diet at $4.28 per day in purchasing power parity (PPP) dollars, significantly higher than the extreme poverty line of $3 PPP.
While global hunger has declined for three consecutive years, reaching 7.8% in 2025, the proportion of people unable to afford nutritious food remains critically high. Maximo Torero, chief economist at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and a report author, highlighted that government policies often focus on subsidizing cereals and staples, neglecting meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables, which leads to 'calories, but not a diversity of diet.' This dietary imbalance contributes to rising rates of obesity and non-communicable diseases such as cancer and diabetes.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) data, adult obesity increased from 12.1% in 2012 to 16.2% in 2024. Torero stressed the urgency of addressing these 'hidden costs' associated with the substantial rise in obesity. The report suggests that investments in infrastructure, research, and development, alongside more efficient supply chains and policies promoting fruit and vegetable consumption, could lower costs and mitigate health impacts.
Africa now faces the highest number of hungry people for the first time, with about 309 million, surpassing Asia's 292 million. In Africa, 66.6% of the population could not afford a healthy diet in 2025, more than double the rates in Asia or Latin America. Despite the increase in hungry individuals, the proportion of the population going hungry in Africa has started to decrease, a trend Torero noted coincided with a significant reduction in overseas development assistance.
The report anticipates that shipping restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, linked to Middle East conflicts, could negatively affect future figures.