The World Food Programme (WFP) has revealed that about 673 million people — representing nearly 8 per cent of the global population — are currently suffering from hunger.
In its latest assessment ahead of the 2025 World Food Day (marked annually on October 16), the UN food agency warned that export restrictions, tariffs, and volatile commodity prices are destabilising food markets, making food less affordable and accessible in countries that already face food deficits.
“These challenges are compounded by trade policy uncertainty, global tariffs, and inflation — all of which ultimately limit people’s access to affordable food,” the agency said.
WFP listed Nigeria among eight countries experiencing acute food insecurity, alongside Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Ethiopia.
According to the agency, of the nearly 700 million people living in extreme poverty worldwide, about two-thirds are in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The WFP identified multiple drivers of global hunger, including conflict, climate change, inequality, and economic shocks.
It noted that armed conflicts — such as those in Ukraine, Sudan, and Gaza — disrupt food production, supply chains, and market access, leading to large-scale displacement and deepening food crises.
Similarly, climate-related disasters like droughts, floods, and heatwaves have severely affected farmers’ ability to grow food, undermining agricultural productivity and availability, particularly in vulnerable regions.
The organisation further observed that economic downturns, rising food and energy prices, and high inflation have reduced purchasing power, especially in low-income countries.
“The COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and climate shocks have all contributed to global food price surges between 2020 and 2024. As food prices rose and real wages fell, many people in poorer countries were forced to eat fewer meals or settle for less nutritious food,” the report said.
WFP also linked deep-rooted poverty and social inequality to persistent hunger, explaining that marginalised communities — particularly women and indigenous groups — often lack access to food and essential resources due to low incomes, poor infrastructure, and weak local services.
“The reality is that millions of people still go hungry not because there isn’t enough food, but because they cannot afford or access it,” WFP concluded.
