As an organization focused on global hunger, we look to the United Nations’ annual State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report to provide us with a picture of how many people around the world are living with hunger.
Here are two key insights this year’s SOFI report provided:
1. Global hunger levels have declined, demonstrating that progress is possible.
Over 645 million people faced hunger last year – equivalent to one in every 12 people globally. Hunger affected 7.8 percent of the world’s population in 2025, down from 8.1 percent in 2024.
2. Hunger is deeply unequal across the world
While global hunger levels in regions like Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean improved in 2025, global hunger remains significantly above pre-pandemic levels – and the world remains far from achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger). Around the world, the affordability gap is also widening because affordability is improving in many regions while worsening in Africa.
Once surviving on one meal a day, Fatima witnessed her son recover from severe malnutrition after treatment at a Trócaire-supported hospital. Fatima later joined a livelihoods program to gain tailoring skills, and started her own business. “It’s better to get the skills to sustain my life and family rather than being handed the food to eat,” says Fatima. Today, her income supports her family and her son is healthy – showing how combining nutrition care with livelihoods leads to lasting change. (Photo: DPCC)
While challenges remain, our members’ local partners in 34 countries are leading the way in ending hunger. We’re honoured to support them and to share their stories as they work towards a world without hunger.
This story was originally published in the 2026 fall edition of Breaking Bread.
