A new UN study released Tuesday shows that 733 million people globally—roughly one in 11—suffer from hunger, with notable regional differences. According to findings from the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Africa faces the highest rates, with 20% of its population affected, followed by Asia at 8% and Latin America at 6%.
At the World Without Hunger conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, UNIDO urged governments and international bodies to boost agricultural productivity and implement modern technology to address the rising hunger crisis. Their report, “Ending Hunger is Possible: An Income-Generating Approach through Value Addition,” underscores the need for innovative strategies to reverse increasing food insecurity.
The study notes that achieving the UN’s 2030 hunger eradication goal now requires $540 billion, up from $330 billion estimated in 2020, as hunger continues to spread worldwide. UNIDO Director Gerd Muller, speaking at the conference, urged wealthier nations to fulfill prior commitments, calling for “innovative, immediate action” to confront this urgent global issue.
The report’s recommendations focus on raising agricultural productivity through technology and research investments, as well as on enhancing infrastructure, including irrigation, electricity, rural roads, and storage to reduce post-harvest losses and improve food access in underserved regions. It also stresses the need for social safety nets, such as programs for education and women’s empowerment, to support vulnerable groups.
The report warns that without intensified global efforts, 582 million people could face hunger by 2030—about 130 million more than projected before the COVID-19 pandemic. In his foreword, Muller described this outlook as “unacceptable” and called for urgent action to prevent a further increase in hunger over the next decade.
The World Without Hunger conference, a three-day gathering, aims to mobilize unprecedented global commitment to food security.
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