FAO Highlights South America’s Progress in Reducing Hunger

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has released its 2024 report on global food security and nutrition, underscoring significant regional variations in hunger and food insecurity. The report indicates that in 2023, between 713 and 757 million people experienced hunger globally, with 28.9% of the world’s population—approximately 2.33 billion people—facing moderate or severe food insecurity.

While global trends show persistent challenges, South America stands out for its notable progress in combating hunger. According to FAO Chief Economist Máximo Torero, the region has achieved a considerable reduction in hunger rates, now affecting 6.2% of its population. This marks a significant improvement compared to Africa, where 20.4% of the population is still grappling with hunger.

Torero attributes South America’s success to its robust social protection programs. Countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Chile have implemented effective social safety nets that swiftly address food insecurity. These programs have been instrumental in lifting over 5 million people out of hunger in the past three years, restoring the region to pre-pandemic hunger levels.

In contrast, Africa’s progress has been hindered by ongoing conflicts, climate change, and economic challenges, which exacerbate food insecurity. The region struggles with limited capacity to implement effective social protection measures, contributing to its higher hunger rates.

The 2024 report also highlights the importance of healthy diet affordability. This year’s revisions to the data reveal that approximately 2.8 billion people lack access to a minimum-cost healthy diet. The updated figures reflect significant changes in food prices and regional spending patterns, emphasizing the need for both supply-side and demand-side interventions to address this issue.

Despite improvements in certain nutrition indicators, such as reductions in stunting and wasting, the report notes that progress is insufficient to meet global targets. Overweight and obesity rates are rising, particularly in regions where hunger has decreased, underscoring the need for continued efforts to enhance overall nutritional outcomes.

The FAO’s report stresses the importance of adopting lessons from South America’s success, advocating for increased investment in social protection programs and enhanced financial coordination to address global food security challenges. As the world approaches the 2030 Zero Hunger goal, South America’s experience serves as a model for other regions striving to achieve similar progress.