Reports IndicesWednesday, 22 July 2026·The Hindu - International
UN food security report 2026: Africa overtakes Asia in hunger burden
A 2026 UN report said Africa became the continent with the largest number of people facing hunger, with 309 million affected in 2025.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In July 2026, a UN food security and nutrition report by the FAO and four other UN agencies said Africa had 309 million people facing hunger in 2025, overtaking Asia’s 292 million.
Key specifics
- Africa recorded 309 million hungry people in 2025, equal to 20% of its population.
- Asia had 292 million people facing hunger in 2025, or 6% of the population.
- The world hunger rate fell from 8.6% in 2022 to 7.8% in 2025.
- The report said 645 million people were still facing hunger in 2025, down by 43 million from the earlier estimate.
- Two-thirds of Africans, or 66.6%, could not afford a healthy diet, the report said.
Exam lens
Report and index question, FAO + four UN agencies, 309 million in Africa, 292 million in Asia, 8.6% to 7.8% global hunger trend; TNPSC may ask which continent now has the highest hunger burden.