Global Report on Food Crises

Key messages from Global Report on Food Crises 2025

In 2024, 295.3 million people – 22.6 percent of the analyzed population – faced high levels of acute food insecurity in 53 of the 65 countries/territories selected for the Global Report on Food Crises. This is the sixth consecutive annual increase. An additional 13 .7 million people faced high levels of acute food insecurity since 2023, corresponding to a marginal shift in prevalence from 21 .5 percent. Fewer countries were selected for the GRFC 2025, but expanded analysis coverage in some identified areas of high levels of acute food insecurity. Twelve did not have data meeting GRFC technical requirements. Deteriorating acute food insecurity in 19 countries, mainly in conflict-driven crises such as Nigeria, the Sudan and Myanmar, outweighed improvements in 15 others, including Afghanistan, Kenya and Ukraine, due to better economic and weather conditions as well as assistance. The total number of people facing Catastrophe (IPC/CH Phase 5) more than doubled between 2023 and 2024, driven by conflict. Over 95 percent of them were in Palestine (Gaza Strip) and the Sudan. South Sudan, Haiti and Mali also had populations in this phase. Over 35.1 million people in 36 countries/ territories faced Emergency (IPC/CH Phase 4), with nine countries having more than 1 million people in this phase. Almost a quarter of them were in the Sudan. Around 190 million people in 40 countries/ territories faced Crisis (IPC/CH Phase 3). The share of the analyzed population in Stressed (IPC/CH Phase 2) increased from 32 to 35 percent in 2024, while the share of the population in Minimal (IPC/CH  Phase 1) decreased, suggesting a deterioration in acute food insecurity. In the 26 countries/territories with nutrition crises, an estimated 37.7 million children aged 6–59 months suffered from acute malnutrition. The Sudan, Yemen, Mali and the Gaza Strip had the most severe nutrition crises. The ten countries with the highest global acute malnutrition (GAM) burden saw cases rise from 26.9 million in 2023 to 30 .4 million in 2024. Food crises and nutrition crises often overlap. The majority of children with acute malnutrition are found in seven countries with the largest food crises. Globally, the majority of forcibly displaced people are in food-crisis contexts. The number in the 53 countries/territories reached 95.8 million in 2024, 75 percent of whom were internally displaced. Acute food insecurity data on displaced populations – available for only 15 countries with food crises – showed higher severity among displaced than resident populations. Famine (IPC Phase 5) confirmed for first time since 2020 In the Sudan, the IPC Famine Review Committee (FRC) confirmed that Famine (IPC Phase 5) was ongoing in Zamzam camp, North Darfur in July 2024. It was detected in four other areas from October to November, and projected in an additional five from December 2024 to May 2025. The FRC identified a risk of Famine in 17 other areas. In the Gaza Strip, in March 2024, the FRC projected that Famine was imminent. In June, following an increase in trade and scale-up of humanitarian assistance, the available evidence did not indicate that Famine was occurring, but the risk of Famine persisted for the entire year. Humanitarian assistance again decreased from March 2025, amid escalating violence. Drivers in 2024 Drivers of acute food insecurity and malnutrition are interlinked and superimposed on structural vulnerabilities. Conflict/insecurity remained the primary driver in 20 countries/territories, with 139.8 million people facing high levels of acute food insecurity. It was the primary driver for the significant deteriorations in Nigeria, the Sudan and Myanmar, and for the majority of populations in facing Catastrophe (IPC/CH Phase 5). Weather extremes were the primary driver for 18 countries, with over 96.1 million people facing high levels of acute food insecurity. They intensified as average air temperatures reached historic highs. Flooding was widespread and an El Niño event led to crop failure in many countries in Southern Africa. Economic shocks were the primary driver in 15 countries, with over 59.4 million people facing high levels of acute food insecurity. The number of people affected is lower than 2023 but remains around twice as many as 2019. These shocks also led to high levels of acute malnutrition as they affected food security, health, and care and service provision. Bleak outlook for 2025 Conflict/insecurity will again be a major driver of acute food insecurity in 2025, with conflicts continuing unabated or intensifying. Escalating economic tensions have weakened growth prospects following successive years of economic shocks. Climate change will continue to drive the earth’s warming trend, with weather extremes becoming more frequent and severe. The abrupt termination of funding in 2025 has disrupted operations, including in Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, South Sudan, the Sudan and Yemen amid substantial reductions by major donors. Funding to humanitarian food sectors is projected to drop by up to 45 percent, risking a deepening of acute food insecurity. Nutrition services to at least 14 million children are at risk, leaving them vulnerable to severe malnutrition and death. Reductions in overseas development assistance will impact government fiscal capacities to support vulnerable populations, particularly in low-income countries. Data collection on the food security and nutrition status of vulnerable populations will also be affected.