2025 Global Hunger Index Reveals Slow Progress

The 2025 Global Hunger Index (GHI) report marks the world’s slow progress towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of zero hunger by 2030. Despite early improvements, hunger levels remain largely unchanged since 2016. The report warns that 56 countries will not achieve low hunger status by 2030, underscoring the urgent need for renewed commitment and action.

Current Global Hunger Status

The 2025 GHI score stands at 18.3, barely improved from 19.0 in 2016. Hunger is classified as moderate worldwide. However, 42 countries face serious or alarming hunger levels. Seven countries—Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Madagascar, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen—report alarming hunger. In 35 others, hunger is serious. Alarmingly, hunger has worsened in 27 countries since 2016, reversing previous gains.

Regional Disparities in Hunger

Africa South of the Sahara remains the most affected region with the highest hunger levels globally. Progress has stalled or reversed in 10 countries, driven by rising undernourishment. Six countries in this region face extremely alarming hunger levels. South Asia also continues to struggle with serious hunger. West Asia, North Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean have seen only limited or slowed progress. East and Southeast Asia show low hunger but slower improvement. Europe and Central Asia maintain the lowest hunger scores worldwide.

Key Indicators and Causes

The GHI ranks countries based on undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting, and child mortality. Persistent hunger is linked to ongoing wars, armed conflicts, climate change impacts, and insufficient political will. These factors disrupt food systems and deepen vulnerabilities, especially in fragile states and conflict zones.

Examples of Progress and Challenges

Some countries demonstrate that progress is achievable even under difficult conditions. Mozambique, Rwanda, Somalia, Togo, and Uganda have made notable improvements. Tajikistan’s transformation from an alarming to near-low hunger status is remarkable. Countries like Angola, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Nepal, and Sierra Leone show that targeted policies and sustained investments can reduce hunger. Yet, these gains are fragile and require continuous support, climate resilience strategies, early-warning systems, and food system reforms to sustain progress.

Urgent Need for Renewed Commitment

The report calls for stronger political will and strategic investments to tackle hunger. It marks the importance of transforming food systems to be more resilient and equitable. Without urgent action, many countries risk missing the 2030 zero hunger target, jeopardising global food security and development goals.