Global hunger has seen little reduction since 2016, and stalled progress is pushing the 2030 target of Zero Hunger out of reach.
Although the global GHI score declined slightly from 19.0 to 18.3 between 2016 and 2025, the underlying trends remain deeply concerning.
Conflict remains the most destructive force driving hunger.
Armed violence fueled 20 food crises affecting nearly 140 million people in the past year.
Humanitarian assistance budgets have dropped sharply, while military spending has surged—an inversion of priorities that undermines the global hunger response.
Examples from countries such as Angola, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Nepal, and Sierra Leone show that targeted policies and sustained investments can drive meaningful progress in reducing hunger.
However, these gains remain fragile, highlighting the need for sound policies that promote sustained support, early-warning systems, climate resilience, and food systems transformation to protect and build on success.
