Ahead of World Food Day on October 16, here are five things you need to know about why, although there is enough food to feed the world’s population of more than eight billion, people are still hungry.
1. Conflict and political instability
Armed conflicts, such as those in Ukraine, Sudan and Gaza, disrupt food production, supply chains and access to markets. This causes the displacement of people, creating severe food insecurity for millions of people.
In Haiti, an estimated 5.7 million people – around half the population – many of whom have fled their homes due to violence, face a deteriorating food security situation, with a staggering 1.9 million at emergency levels.
WFP distributes food to residents of gang-affected Cité Soleil in Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital.
In conflict zones, the UN, primarily through the World Food Program (WFP), delivers immediate food aid to populations facing acute food insecurity.
Affected communities also receive seeds, livestock and agricultural tools so they can grow food themselves and not have to rely on aid.
2. Climate change and extreme weather
Increasing climate variability, including droughts, floods and heat waves, wreak havoc on farmers’ ability to grow food. This undermines agricultural productivity and food availability, especially in vulnerable regions.
Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Nigeria and Ethiopia face severe food insecurity driven by a combination of conflict, drought, floods and desertification.
Somalia, for example, is experiencing its worst drought in four decades, compounding years of conflict and displacement.
A boy rolls a water container in Dollow, on the border between Somalia and Ethiopia.
The UN promotes climate-resilient agricultural practices to mitigate the impact of environmental crises and adapt to new climate norms, for example, the crescent farming technique in the African Sahel region.
3. Economic shocks and inflation
Global and regional economic crises, rising food and energy prices, and inflation have combined to reduce purchasing power and access to nutritious foods, especially in low-income countries.
The COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and climate crises contributed to food price spikes between 2020 and 2024.
As food prices rose, real wages fell, and inflation soared, people – especially in low-income countries – were less able to afford nutritious food and often ate fewer meals per day.
A two-year-old girl takes a nutritional supplement at a health center in Maiduguri, northern Nigeria.
During periods of economic crises and inflation, the United Nations increases the distribution of food rations and nutritional supplements, as well as providing cash-based transfers to help families purchase food locally, supporting both nutrition and local markets.
4. Structural poverty and inequality
Deep-rooted poverty and social inequality limit access to food and resources, especially in rural and marginalized communities, perpetuating chronic hunger.
Low incomes, poor infrastructure and local services often mean that the marginalized (and especially women and indigenous groups) do not receive enough food.
According to the UN, almost 700 million people live in extreme poverty worldwide, with two-thirds residing in sub-Saharan Africa.
The UN, through several agencies, seeks to strengthen social protection systems and move away from crisis-focused humanitarian aid, towards a model in which low-income countries drive the development of resilient, inclusive and sustainable food systems.
This approach empowers communities to reduce hunger, build local capacity, and improve long-term food security.
5. Trading Disruptions and Market Volatility
Export restrictions, tariffs and volatile commodity prices can destabilize food markets, making food less affordable and accessible in food-deficit countries.
In Bangladesh, farmers are growing more climate-resilient crops.
Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are grappling with food price volatility and debt challenges. These problems are compounded by trade policy uncertainty, especially global tariffs and inflation.
This ultimately limits people’s access to affordable food.
Hunger Map: Hunger Map 2025 | FAO | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Both Brazil and Mexico have seen downward revisions to growth due to trade tensions and inflation. This has weakened consumer spending and increased food insecurity among low-income communities.
The UN works in various ways to support affected countries.
It monitors global prices, provides policy guidance, and has coordinated international responses to help countries navigate interrelated food, energy, and financial crises. These efforts aim to stabilize markets and protect the vulnerable.