Africa surpasses Asia with highest population facing hunger: UN
A UN report released on July 21, 2026, reveals that Africa has overtaken Asia as the continent with the largest number of people facing hunger, with 309 million Africans (20% of the population) affected compared to 292 million in Asia (6%). The annual report by the FAO and four other UN agencies shows gradual global improvement in reducing hunger, with the proportion of the world's hungry falling from 8.6% in 2022 to 7.8% in 2025, though levels remain above pre-COVID figures. However, progress is uneven: undernourishment has risen in Africa since 2017, and two-thirds of Africans cannot afford a healthy diet—more than double Asia's rate. The report highlights severe climate shocks, conflicts in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and rising energy and fertilizer costs as key drivers. African nations are urged to prioritize transforming the animal source food sector to address affordability.
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