Healthy diet too expensive for one in three people globally, UN report finds
Summary
A new report from several UN agencies finds that one in three people worldwide cannot afford a healthy diet, which costs more than the extreme poverty line. Hunger rates have fallen for the third year in a row, but Africa has the highest number of hungry people and faces major challenges due to population growth and shrinking international aid.Key Facts
- About 2.69 billion people cannot afford a healthy diet that provides enough energy and nutrients.
- A healthy diet costs around $4.28 per day in local buying power, which is more than the $3 per day extreme poverty line.
- Global hunger affected 7.8% of people in 2025, down from 8.1% in 2024.
- Africa has the highest hunger rate, with 66.6% of its population unable to afford a healthy diet and about 309 million people hungry.
- Hunger is decreasing in Africa for the first time in years, despite less overseas development aid.
- Governments often subsidize only cereals and starchy foods, not fruits, vegetables, or animal products, leading to poor diet diversity.
- Adult obesity rose from 12.1% in 2012 to 16.2% in 2024, raising health concerns like cancer and diabetes.
- The report urges investment in supply chains, research, and policies to make healthy foods cheaper and encourage better diets.
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