Africa becomes world's hunger epicenter as 309 million face undernourishment, UN report finds
UN agencies report Africa now has the world's largest hungry population—309 million people (20% of continental population) in 2025, surpassing Asia's 292 million suffering undernourishment. This marks the first time Africa holds this distinction as Asia's hunger cases dropped significantly.
The shift follows gradual global hunger reduction from 8.6% in 2022 to 7.8% in 2025 (43 million fewer people), though still above pre-pandemic levels. Two-thirds of Africans (66.6%) cannot afford healthy diets—more than double Asia's rate. Conflicts in Sudan and DRC, plus climate shocks since 2017, have driven this crisis upward despite potential 2025 turnaround signs.
Animal source foods remain the region's most expensive food group, while rising energy and fertilizer costs (partially from ongoing wars) could worsen conditions. Earlier warnings suggested Nigeria might still battle poverty and hunger in 20 years without intervention.
Africa's hunger patterns now mirror challenges Nigeria faces—rising food costs, climate impacts on agriculture, and economic pressures affecting household nutrition access. The report emphasizes need for agricultural transformation and food system investments.