[INTERNATIONAL] · Guatemala, Afghanistan, Sudan, Palestinian Territories, Yemen · 48 sources

started 9 days ago · updated 7 days ago

Part of situation: Global food security and hunger trends (8 clusters)

World Hunger Index reveals rising global hunger levels

World Hunger Index food insecurity acute malnutrition humanitarian aid global hunger crisis

The 2026 World Hunger Index reveals a concerning reversal in global progress, with the index rising to 18.1 points from 17.6 in 2018. This marks the first negative trend in the data series since 2000. While chronic hunger affects approximately 645 million people globally, acute food insecurity is rising, with 266 million people in 47 countries and territories experiencing high levels of insecurity in 2025.

Conflict and climate change are identified as primary drivers of this crisis. The year 2025 saw a record 65 armed conflicts, the highest number since World War II, contributing to simultaneous human-made famines in Gaza and Sudan. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the situation is particularly dire, with the hunger index increasing from 26.9 to 27.5 since 2018. Seven of the eight countries with 'very serious' hunger levels are located in this region, including Burundi, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan.

Additionally, malnutrition remains a critical threat to children, with over 35 million children and girls suffering from acute malnutrition in 2025. Humanitarian aid funding is also facing significant challenges, with a noted decrease in resources for nutritional assistance in crisis areas.

Entities

Action Against Hunger · Aktion gegen den Hunger · Cesvi · Food and Agriculture Organization · Gaza · Global Hunger Index · Helvetas · Institute for Peace and Security Research · Save the Children · Sub-Saharan Africa · Sudan · Welthungerhilfe

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 11 SOURCES] The World Hunger Index classifies hunger as 'very serious' in eight countries: Burundi, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen. www.hna.de · www.merkur.de · www.fehmarn24.de · www.dunya.com · www.finanzen.at · +6 more
[● 5 SOURCES] Approximately 266 million people in 47 countries and territories experienced high acute food insecurity in 2025. www.upday.com · www.finanzen.at · www.n-tv.de · quotidianodifoggia.it · www.archivalencia.org
[● 19 SOURCES] The global World Hunger Index value rose to 18.1 points in 2026 from 17.6 in 2018. www.hna.de · www.merkur.de · www.upday.com · www.fehmarn24.de · www.it-boltwise.de · +13 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Funding for humanitarian nutritional aid in crisis areas decreased by 59 percent between 2022 and 2025. www.upday.com · www.n-tv.de · quotidianodifoggia.it
[● 10 SOURCES] The hunger index value in Sub-Saharan Africa increased from 26.9 to 27.5 since 2018. www.hna.de · www.merkur.de · www.fehmarn24.de · www.it-boltwise.de · www.finanzen.at · +5 more
[● 6 SOURCES] The Food and Agriculture Organization reported a slight global decrease in chronic hunger to 645 million people in 2025. www.upday.com · www.finanzen.at · www.n-tv.de · www.diarioviseu.pt · www.archivalencia.org · +1 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Welfare systems must adapt to support individuals throughout longer lifespans.
[● 3 SOURCES] Hunger levels have reached a point of high severity compared to 2018 levels. lecodellitorale.it · www.notizie.it
[○ 1 SOURCE] The goal should be for 100% of children to have access to nursery schools.
[● 4 SOURCES] More than 35 million children and girls suffered from acute malnutrition in 2025. lecodellitorale.it · www.notizie.it · www.forchecaudine.com
[● 4 SOURCES] There were 65 recorded armed conflicts in 2025, the highest number since World War II. lecodellitorale.it · www.notizie.it · www.forchecaudine.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Two human-made famines are occurring simultaneously in Gaza and Sudan in 2025. lecodellitorale.it · www.notizie.it · www.forchecaudine.com