The state of food security and nutrition in the world 2024

Overview

This report is the annual global monitoring report for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 targets 2.1 and 2.2 – to end hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition in all its forms. It presents the latest updated numbers on hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition, as well as new estimates on the affordability of a healthy diet. Previous editions  have highlighted several major drivers of food insecurity and malnutrition, specifically conflict, climate variability and extremes, and economic slowdowns and downturns. They have also proposed a policy portfolio to address these drivers. However, achieving the necessary scale of intervention will require adequate financing.

This year’s report focuses on financing to achieve SDG Targets 2.1 and 2.2. It proposes a new definition and methodology to measure financing for food security and nutrition, and applies it to estimate existing availability and gaps. The report demonstrates that although achieving these targets may carry significant costs today, not doing so may result in even greater costs tomorrow. Increased financing for food security and nutrition is required, particularly in countries with the highest burden. However, all countries must also use existing financing more effectively. In the long-term, investing in interventions to address the main drivers will be key to prevent future higher social, economic, and environmental costs.