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Millions Struggle to Afford a Basic, Calorie-Sufficient Diet in 2025
A recent report from the World Bank highlights a stark reality: hundreds of millions of people worldwide are unable to afford a diet that provides enough calories to meet basic nutritional needs. This crisis underscores ongoing economic and social challenges faced by many nations, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted interventions to combat food insecurity.
1. Madagascar Tops the List With Over 78% of its Population Unable to Afford Necessary Calories
Madagascar remains the nation with the highest proportion of its population struggling to access sufficient calories, with 78.3% unable to meet this fundamental need. Economic hardship, coupled with ongoing political instability, has severely limited food access for the island nation’s residents.
2. Central African Republic and Zambia Hit Hard by Food Insecurity
The Central African Republic sees approximately 67% of its population unable to afford enough calories, while Zambia faces a similar crisis with 65.1%. Both countries continue to grapple with high poverty rates and insufficient infrastructure that impede food distribution.
3. Nigeria and Burundi Facing Severe Dietary Challenges
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, shows that 44.4% of its citizens can’t access enough calories to meet their basic needs. Burundi isn’t far behind, with 41.5% of its population experiencing similar struggles, highlighting the widespread food access issues in Sub-Saharan Africa.
4. Tanzania, Angola, and Sierra Leone: The Growing Food Security Crisis
Tanzania (36.8%), Angola (36%), and Sierra Leone (34.9%) are among African nations increasingly affected by food insecurity. Economic instability, climate change, and conflict continue to undermine local food systems.
5. Rwandans and Congolese Struggling to Secure Basic Nutrition
In Rwanda, 28.1% of the population cannot afford enough calories, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (27.9%) reports similar figures. These stats reveal ongoing humanitarian challenges in regions plagued by conflict and weak infrastructure.
6. Countries With Lower, Yet Significant, Food Access Issues
While countries like South Africa (24.2%) and Haiti (23.5%) have relatively lower percentages, the numbers indicate persistent problems affecting millions. The diverse causes include economic disparity, political instability, and climate impacts.
7. Smaller Percentages in Asia and Latin America Point to Possible Progress
In Asian countries, such as the Philippines (6.9%), India (3.2%), and Indonesia (4.3%), and Latin American nations like Bolivia (6.8%) and Brazil (3.5%), fewer people face the issue. Nonetheless, pockets of hunger and malnutrition persist, often concentrated in marginalized communities.
8. Wealthy Nations and Their Near-Absence of Food Access Problems
In high-income countries such as Japan and the United States, the percentage of the population unable to afford enough calories drops to around 1.2%. These figures reflect better socio-economic conditions but do not negate the importance of addressing local inequalities.
9. Global Perspective: Minimal Food Inaccessibility in Most Developed Countries
Among the wealthiest nations—Germany, France, Canada, and Australia—under 0.2% of the population struggles to afford basic calories. This underscores the stark divide between developing and developed nations concerning food security.
Who Is Most Affected?
The data paints a concerning picture of global hunger—particularly within African nations, where economic challenges and ongoing conflicts are primary causes. Political instability, climate change impacts, and inadequate infrastructure continue to exacerbate the problem, placing vulnerable populations at increased risk.
What Can Be Done?
Addressing this pervasive issue requires a multifaceted approach that includes strengthening food systems, improving economic opportunities, and implementing resilient infrastructure projects. International aid, policy reforms, and climate adaptation strategies will be vital to reverse these troubling trends.
Looking Forward
The statistics from 2025 serve as a stark reminder that while some progress has been made in reducing global hunger, millions still lack access to the most basic nutrition. Ongoing collaboration among governments, NGOs, and international organizations will be essential to turn the tide and ensure food security for all.
Source: World Bank, adapted from Herforth et al. (2022)
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