Global hunger reached 645 million people in 2025, according to the UN SOFI 2026 report released on 15 October. This figure represents 7.8% of the global population experiencing hunger during that year. International organizations mark World Food Day on 16 October to address these ongoing challenges in food security. The data provided in the UN SOFI 2026 report details the scale of the population affected by food shortages throughout 2025. Monitoring these statistics remains a primary focus for global agencies observing the situation on World Food Day. The report, which serves as a central document for tracking nutritional progress, shows the 645 million people who faced hunger throughout the 2025 calendar year. By identifying that 7.8% of the global population suffered from hunger, the UN SOFI 2026 report provides a full baseline for international monitoring efforts. World Food Day, observed on 16 October, acts as a key moment for these organizations to synthesize the findings and coordinate responses to the identified gaps in food security.
Regional Hunger Statistics Breakdown
Approximately 309 million people in Africa suffered from hunger in 2025. Al Hassan Cissé, représentant de la FAO au Niger, described the drivers of this situation as "Les inégalités d’accès aux connaissances, aux investissements et aux débouchés."
Separately, the UN SOFI 2026 report stated that 292 million people in Asia suffered from hunger in 2025. These figures provide a breakdown of the total global hunger population recorded during that year. Regional data indicates that these two continents account for the majority of the food insecurity cases identified by the report. International agencies continue to track these numbers to measure the impact of food shortages on populations across both Africa and Asia. The 292 million people in Asia who suffered from hunger in 2025 represent a significant portion of the global total, requiring focused analysis to understand the local variables contributing to these shortages. By examining the 309 million people in Africa alongside the 292 million people in Asia, agencies can better visualize the geographic distribution of food insecurity. This granular approach allows for a clearer understanding of how regional conditions impact the 7.8% of the global population experiencing hunger.
Scope of Food Insecurity
Approximately 2.1 billion people experienced moderate or severe food insecurity throughout 2025. This metric, detailed in the UN SOFI 2026 report released on 15 October, captures individuals who lacked regular access to safe and nutritious food in sufficient quantities. The classification reflects the broader range of nutritional challenges facing populations beyond the acute hunger figures identified in the report.
Financial barriers to nutrition remain a separate factor in the global food crisis. The UN SOFI 2026 report estimates that 2.69 billion people were unable to afford a healthy diet in 2025. This figure accounts for the purchasing power of households globally as they confronted the costs of acquiring a balanced intake of essential nutrients. International agencies track these two indicators to distinguish between the physical inability to access food and the economic constraints that limit dietary quality for large segments of the population. The distinction between the 645 million people facing acute hunger and the 2.69 billion people unable to afford a healthy diet is critical for policy development. As agencies observe World Food Day on 16 October, they emphasize that the inability of 2.69 billion people to afford a healthy diet is a distinct challenge from the 7.8% of the global population suffering from hunger.