Global hunger rose in 2016, for first time this century
The number of chronically undernourished people in the world rose by 38 million to 815 million in 2016, signalling the first rise this century, according to a report by five United Nations agencies. The study states that the increase is largely due to conflict and climate-related factors. Of the 815 million, 60% live in countries affected by conflict. The report also stated that the number of people experiencing chronic hunger rose from 10.6% in 2015 to 11% last year. Researchers stated that it was unclear whether the rise was a blip or the sign of a long-term trend.

The world is in a very different place to where it was six years ago when it committed to the goal of ending hunger, food insecurity and all forms of malnutrition by 2030.

At the time, we were optimistic that with transformative approaches, past progress could be accelerated, at scale, to put us on track to achieve that goal.

Yet, the past four editions of The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) revealed a humbling reality.

The world has not been generally progressing either towards ensuring access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food for all people all year round (SDG Target 2.1), or to eradicating all forms of malnutrition (SDG Target 2.2).

Conflict, climate variability and extremes, and economic slowdowns and downturns are the major drivers slowing down progress, particularly where inequality is high. The COVID-19 pandemic made the pathway towards SDG2 even steeper.

So, if the world is at a critical juncture, where do we stand now? And what can be done to help us build forward better and put us on track to achieving Zero Hunger?