Signs of Progress Towards a World Without Hunger: Insights from the 2025 SOFI Report

Jul 30, 2025 | Latest News

For the first time since 2017, the United Nations’ State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) Report reveals a decline in the number of people living with chronic hunger. Yet, the urgency of this moment cannot be overstated. An estimated 673 million people, one in twelve globally, still face chronic hunger today. And while progress is being made, it remains fragile and uneven. 

“After years of stagnation, the tide is finally turning, chronic hunger is beginning to decline, this is a hard-won sign of hope. Yet with 673 million people still living with hunger, our work is far from over. We face a defining choice: retreat from progress or rise to meet the moment. Now is the time to rally behind a vision where those most affected by hunger are not seen as recipients of aid, but as leaders of their own transformation.” 

Rowlands Kaotcha

President & CEO, The Hunger Project

Key Findings from the SOFI 2025 Report

  • Chronic hunger is declining. In 2024, 8.2% of the global population, or 673 million people, lived with chronic hunger. 
  • Children are better nourished. Global child stunting rates dropped from 26.4% in 2012 to 23.2% in 2024. Exclusive breastfeeding increased from 37% in 2012 to 47.8% in 2023. 
  • More people can afford a healthy diet. Despite rising food prices, over 68% of the global population is now able to afford a healthy diet. 

Areas of Concern

  • Progress is not equitable. While some regions have seen a decline in hunger, the number of people affected has increased or stagnated in Africa and Western Asia. 
  • The gender gap is widening again. Globally, food insecurity continues to be more prevalent among women than men, across all regions. 
  • Many women and children still lack dietary diversity. Two-thirds of children aged 6 months to 2 years, and one-third of women aged 15 to 49, are not consuming sufficiently diverse diets to meet their nutritional needs. 
  • We are not on track for the SDGs. Projections show that 512 million people could be chronically undernourished by 2030, 60% of whom will live in Africa. 

Food Price Inflation: A Driving Force Behind Hunger 

The 2025 SOFI Report identifies food price inflation as one of the most persistent drivers of hunger worldwide. Although some countries are recovering economically post-pandemic, this recovery has been highly unequal, particularly in low-income countries, where food costs continue to outpace income growth. 

In these contexts, households often spend a large portion of their income on food. When prices rise, there is little to no buffer, families are forced to make impossible choices between food, healthcare, and education. 

In many rural communities, food price inflation, peaking at 30% in 2023, has significantly reduced household purchasing power. Smallholder farmers, often net buyers of food themselves, face higher input costs while still struggling to access nutritious options. As a result, inflation deepens existing inequalities and disproportionately affects women and children, who are typically last to eat and first to suffer in times of scarcity.

“In Zambia today, hunger is no longer just about food scarcity. As food prices soar, over 48% of Zambian households now face moderate to severe food insecurity, making hunger a direct consequence of economic fragility, not just agricultural shortfalls.”

Samuel Mutambo

Country Leader, The Hunger Project–Zambia

Our Approach: Rooted in Resilience 

The SOFI 2025 Report reinforces what The Hunger Project sees on the ground every day: that hunger is driven and sustained by systemic inequities. Tackling hunger at its roots means investing in community-led, gender-equitable solutions that build resilience and long-term change. 

“In Uganda, families are grappling with rising food prices and struggling to put enough food on the table. Now more than ever, we need sustained, targeted responses rooted in local leadership. That’s where The Hunger Project comes in.”

Irene Naikaali

Country Leader, The Hunger Project–Uganda

“Based on our experience in Bangladesh, community-led initiatives that elevate women and value local knowledge are essential to improving food security and nutrition.”

Prashanta Tripura

Country Leader, The Hunger Project–Bangladesh

In partnership with communities, we: 

  • Strengthen local food systems: Supporting the development of home gardens and community agriculture reduces dependence on volatile food markets. 
  • Diversify livelihoods: Through our programmes, women and young people gain the skills and confidence to create multiple sources of income, increasing their resilience to economic shocks. 
  • Improve access to nutrition: Community leaders are equipped to deliver education on balanced diets and provide access to supplements for women and children where needed. 
  • Promote community leadership: We build the capacity of local leaders to advocate for sustainable, culturally relevant solutions rooted in dignity and self-reliance. 

A Pivotal Moment for Global Solidarity 

The 2025 SOFI Report offers a glimmer of hope: hunger is not inevitable, and progress is possible. But we must not let this momentum fade. 

With governments around the world reducing development funding, now is the time for bold action and renewed commitment. This is not just a moment for reflection, it is a call to act, to invest in grassroots leadership, and to shape a future where no one is left behind. 

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The 2025 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World Report was published on 28 July 2025, jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).