Approximately 2.69 billion people globally—nearly one in three—cannot afford a healthy diet despite a third consecutive year of declining global hunger, according to a newly released United Nations report. The findings highlight a critical disconnect between decreasing hunger levels and persistent barriers to nutritious eating, with experts calling for urgent action to reduce costs of essential foods including fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.
The report documents continued improvements in hunger reduction across multiple continents through 2025, marking the third straight year of progress on this key metric. However, the economic inaccessibility of nutritious foods remains a stubborn challenge affecting roughly a third of the world's population, underscoring that freedom from hunger does not equate to access to adequate nutrition.
Regional Disparities Persist
While global hunger levels have eased, the UN report emphasizes that significant regional disparities continue to plague efforts toward universal food security. The World Health Organization noted that progress has been uneven across different geographical areas, with some regions experiencing far greater challenges in both hunger reduction and diet affordability than others.
One in three people worldwide cannot afford to eat well, despite overall improvements in hunger statistics.
Cost Barriers to Nutritious Foods
The prohibitive expense of healthy eating represents a major obstacle to global nutrition goals. Experts cited in the reporting stress that the high costs of nutrient-dense foods—particularly fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products—place proper nutrition beyond the financial reach of billions. This affordability crisis affects not only those experiencing hunger but also many who consume sufficient calories yet lack access to balanced, healthful diets.
Climate and Trade Risks Threaten Progress
According to Reuters, the UN report warns that emerging threats from climate change and trade disruptions could jeopardize recent gains in hunger reduction. These risk factors pose particular concerns for vulnerable populations already struggling with diet affordability, potentially reversing years of progress if left unaddressed.
The findings underscore the complexity of global food security, revealing that solving hunger alone proves insufficient without parallel efforts to make nutritious eating economically accessible. As the international community continues working toward sustainable development goals related to food security and nutrition, the report suggests that targeted interventions to lower the cost of healthy foods must become a central priority alongside traditional hunger-reduction programs.
