Number of Hungry Down

FAO’s new State of Food Insecurity in the World report indicates that the number of hungry in the world has dropped, in part thanks to an increase in agricultural productivity growth, proving that the recent investment in agriculture is making a difference.

Some 842 million people, or roughly one in eight, suffered from chronic hunger in 2011-13, not getting enough food to lead active and healthy lives according to a report released by the UN food agencies.

The number is down from 868 million reported for the 2010-12 period, according to the State of Food Insecurity in the World (SOFI 2013), published every year by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP). The vast majority of hungry people live in developing regions, while 15.7 million live in developed countries.

Continued economic growth in developing countries has improved incomes and access to food. Recent pick-up in agricultural productivity growth, supported by increased public investment and renewed interest of private investors in agriculture, has improved food availability.

• Read the executive summary (PDF)
• Download the publication
• Download the e-book
• Food security indicators – download the data
• See the press release
• Order a copy of the book