World hunger declined in the past year, and it improved on every continent. That's according to a report released this week by the United Nations (UN). The UN released its 2025 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report Tuesday. It found that 7.8% of the world's population suffered from hunger last year. That amounts to about 645 million people. The rate is down from 8.1% in 2024 and 8.6% in 2022. "This year the rate of hunger has declined in all continents, including Africa," Máximo Torero told Reuters. He is the chief economist for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. The report does warn that its findings are not all good news. The level of global food insecurity is still far higher than it was before the pandemic. It also remains severe in places such as Western Asia and parts of Africa. The report notes that 1 in 5 people are undernourished in Africa. That means a person does not get enough nutrients to maintain good health. If current trends hold, Africa will be home to 60% of the world's hungry by 2030. Back in 2012, the UN set a goal to end global hunger by 2030. The report predicts that hunger will continue to decline in the next four years. Torero noted that the report shows signs of progress. But he also said a number of global issues could threaten that progress. He pointed to the ongoing Iran war. It has caused the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has increased prices for fuel, fertilizer, and food production. "We hope the trend won't change, but there are several risks affecting us right now," Torero told Reuters. Reflect: What do you think people need most to feel secure — food, safety, control over their future, or something else? Why? Photo of farmers harvesting produce from Unsplash courtesy of Tim Mossholder.
