Key Figures for 2018
In 2018, the number of undernourished people worldwide remained persistently high, with estimates indicating a prevalence of around 8.9 percent of the global population. This translates to roughly 690 million people facing chronic food deprivation, reversing several years of modest declines. Conflict, economic slowdowns, and climate-related shocks were key drivers behind this plateau. The following sections define undernourishment, compare 2018 to earlier and later years, explore regional differences, and outline the data sources and methodological choices that shape these figures.
Defining Undernourishment
What Is an Undernourished Person?
An undernourished person is someone whose habitual food intake is insufficient to meet the minimum dietary energy requirements to maintain a normal active and healthy life over a prolonged period. This condition, often called chronic hunger, is measured in terms of dietary energy supply: the average calories available per person per day after accounting for food waste and distribution.
It is distinct from acute hunger, which refers to immediate risks such as famine or severe wasting. Undernourishment is a stock concept reflecting persistent food insecurity, typically assessed using calorie availability and household survey data. International agencies align definitions to ensure comparability across countries and years.
Global Estimates for 2018
Reported Numbers and Prevalence
Major agencies, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the World Food Programme (WFP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Bank, jointly produce standardized hunger estimates. For 2018, the reported number of undernourished people was approximately 690 million, with a likely range between roughly 675 million and 710 million, depending on data sources and model assumptions.
This represented about 8.9 percent of the world population in 2018. After decades of decline, the prevalence plateaued in the mid-2010s, and 2018 signaled a period of stagnation rather than progress. The following table summarizes key metrics for that year.
| Metric | 2018 Estimate | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Number of undernourished people | ~690 million | FAO/IFAD/WFP/WHO/World Bank joint estimates |
| Prevalence (share of world population) | ~8.9% | Joint FAO/WHO/World Bank statistics |
| Baseline reference for trend comparison | 2014–2016 as reference period | Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicator framework |
| Regional coverage | All regions with model-based estimates | Geospatial and household data integration |
Regional Patterns
Where the Burden Was Concentrated
In 2018, the greatest number of undernourished people were in Asia, home to both large populations and significant food-insecurity hotspots. Sub-Saharan Africa faced the highest prevalence rates, meaning a larger share of its population experienced chronic hunger, driven by conflict, climatic extremes, and fragile livelihoods. Latin America and the Caribbean, Oceania, and some parts of Northern Africa showed mixed trends, with improvements in some territories and reversals in others.
Subregional Highlights
- Southern Asia and Eastern Asia: Large absolute numbers, with progress slowing by 2018.
- Sub-Saharan Africa: High prevalence, with countries affected by conflict and drought facing the steepest challenges.
- Western Asia: Elevated levels linked to protracted conflicts and economic disruptions.
- Latin America and the Caribbean: Hunger declined in the early 2000s but plateaued in the late 2010s for some subregions.
Main Drivers in 2018
Conflict, Climate, and Economic Slowdown
By 2018, multiple overlapping shocks had stalled earlier hunger-reduction momentum. Armed conflicts disrupted livelihoods and markets, while climate variability—droughts, floods, and temperature extremes—affected agricultural output in vulnerable regions. Economic slowdowns, falling commodity prices in some areas, and high inequality limited access to food for low-income populations, even when enough food was available nationally.
These drivers interacted differently across regions. In some contexts, food availability was sufficient but access was constrained by income shocks or disrupted supply chains; in others, production shortfalls directly reduced household food availability.
Methodology and Data Sources
How the Estimates Are Produced
The联合 agencies rely on a balance of food balance sheet data and household surveys to estimate undernourishment. Food balance sheets provide information on national availability of calories, while surveys capture distribution issues, dietary diversity, and household food insecurity. Statistical modeling is used to reconcile differences and produce comparable time series across countries.
Methodological refinements over the years have improved coverage and accuracy, including better integration of conflict-affected areas and improved imputation for missing survey data. Nevertheless, uncertainty remains, especially where data systems are weak. The metrics are designed for monitoring long-term trends rather than pinpointing short spikes.
Key Data Sources and Indicators
| Data Source | Metric or Contribution | Notes on Reliability |
|---|---|---|
| FAO Food Balance Sheets | National caloric availability | Systematic accounting for food losses and waste |
| Household Surveys (DHS, MICS) | Dietary intake and food insecurity | Representative but subject to recall and coverage gaps |
| FAO/ITU/World Bank Telecommunication data | Indirect proxy for access and shocks | Supplementary in modeling |
| Climate Data (e.g., CHIRPS) | Environmental stressors | Used to contextualize production shocks |
| Conflict Data (ACLED/UCDP) | Displacement and disruption indicators | Coverage depends on reporting completeness |
Trends Around 2018 and Implications
Progress Stalled
In the years leading up to 2018, the number of undernourished people had shown a declining trend, with notable gains in regions such as Eastern and South-Eastern Asia. By 2018, however, declines slowed or reversed in several regions, and the global prevalence plateaued. Subsequent assessments would show continued challenges in the early 2020s, exacerbated by the pandemic, further conflicts, and mounting climate pressures.
Policy and Monitoring Relevance
Tracking Toward Zero Hunger
Undernourishment prevalence is a core indicator for SDG Goal 2 (Zero Hunger). Keeping the global number of undernourished people on a downward trajectory requires coordinated action on conflict resolution, climate resilience, social protection, and inclusive economic growth. For 2018, the snapshot of 690 million people underscores the scale of unfinished progress and highlights where intensified investment and policy effort are most needed.