In 2022, 11 percent of the global population experienced severe food insecurity, an increase from 7.7 percent in 2014. The share of people suffering from hunger increased in almost all of the world regions, but Africa is by far the region the most affected by severe food insecurity. There, prevalence of severe food insecurity increased by almost five percentage points from 2018 to 2022.

Abstract

Key components of the WFSO database cover the prevalence of severe food insecurity, including estimates for countries lacking official data, population sizes of the severely food insecure, and required safety net financing. Data is presented in a user-friendly format.

WFSO data primarily relies on hunger and malnutrition data from the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report, led by the Food and agriculture Organization (FAO) in collaboration with multiple UN agencies. WFSO complements SOFI data by providing estimates for unreported countries. Historical estimates are produced with a machine learning model leveraging World Development Indicators (WDI) for global coverage.

Financing needs for safety nets are calculated similarly to past approaches by the International Development Association (IDA) to assess food insecurity response needs (IDA (2020) and IDA (2021)). Preliminary estimates and projections rely on the same model and incorporate International Monetary Fund (IMF)'s World Economic Outlook (WEO) growth and inflation forecasts. WEO data reflects the IMF's expert analysis from various sources, including government agencies, central banks, and international organizations.

Minor gaps in WDI data inflation data are replaced with unofficial WEO estimates. Minor inflation data gaps not covered by both, are replaced with unofficial inflation estimates from the World Bank's Real Time Food Prices (RTFP) data.

The WFSO is updated three times a year, coinciding with IMF's WEO and SOFI releases. It provides food security projections that align with economic forecasts, aiding policymakers in integrating food security into economic planning.

The WFSO database serves various purposes, aiding World Bank economists and researchers in economic analysis, policy recommendations, and the assessment of global financing needs to address food insecurity.

Additionally, the WFSO enhances transparency in global food security data by tracking regional and global figures and breaking them down by individual countries. Historical estimates support research and long-term trend assessments, especially in the context of relating outlooks to past food security crises.

Geographic coverage

World

Geographic coverage notes

191 countries and territories mutually included by the World Bank's WDI and IMF's WEO databases. The country coverage is based on mutual inclusion in both the World Bank World Development Indicators database and the International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook database. Some countries and territories may not be covered. Every attempt is made to provide comprehensive coverage. To produce complete historical predictions, missing data in the WDI are completed with unofficial data from the WEO and the World Bank's RTFP data when inflation data is not available in either database. Final gaps in the WDI and WEO are interpolated using a Kernel-based pattern-matching algorithm. See background documentation for equations.

Analysis unit

Country

Kind of data

Process-produced data [pro]

In 2023, approximately 72.4 percent of households in Brazil had food security, while the remaining 27.6 percent experienced some level of food insecurity: Mild (when people were uncertain about obtaining food), moderate (when the adults in a household had their access to food reduced), or severe (when also the children had a reduced access to food). A decade earlier, in 2013, the food security levels reached over 77 percent of Brazilian households.

Number and percentage of persons based on the level of household food insecurity, by age group and sex, for 2004 only.

Trinidad and Tobago TT: Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity in the Population: % of population data was reported at 10.200 % in 2022. This stayed constant from the previous number of 10.200 % for 2021. Trinidad and Tobago TT: Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity in the Population: % of population data is updated yearly, averaging 10.200 % from Dec 2020 (Median) to 2022, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10.200 % in 2022 and a record low of 10.200 % in 2022. Trinidad and Tobago TT: Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity in the Population: % of population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Trinidad and Tobago – Table TT.World Bank.WDI: Social: Health Statistics. The percentage of people in the population who live in households classified as severely food insecure. A household is classified as severely food insecure when at least one adult in the household has reported to have been exposed, at times during the year, to several of the most severe experiences described in the FIES questions, such as to have been forced to reduce the quantity of the food, to have skipped meals, having gone hungry, or having to go for a whole day without eating because of a lack of money or other resources.;Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO);;

Number and percentage of persons by household food security status, age group, sex, visible minority group, Indigenous group and immigration status, Canada and provinces.

The highest overall food security performance within the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) in 2022 was 75.2 percent in the United Arab Emirates. In comparison, the lowest score was of Syria at 36.3 percent in that year.

MENA food security breakdown
The overall food security performance score is based on four assessment pillars, food availability, affordability, quality and safety, and natural resource and resilience scores. In 2019, Qatar had the best food affordability score exceeding 98 percent, followed by the United Arab Emirates. Meanwhile, the food quality and safety score was highest for Qatar, followed by Israel. The highest food availability score was in Israel, followed by Egypt, and the lowest for Yemen at a score of 29 percent. Turkey had the highest natural resource and resilience score for food at 60 percent in that year. Within the MENA region, food insecurity was found to be positively correlated with the amount of conflict in a country, and the level of rural transformation. Rural transformation includes the maturing of services such as those in the health and education sectors. The development of such sectors improves the standards of living, employment opportunities, and the overall welfare of households which enhances food security.

GCC food industry trends

The consistent growth in the demand for food in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries is caused by the increasing per capita income, persistent population growth, and thriving tourism. There was a noticeable shift in consumer behavior to healthier food choices in recent years due to the increasing health issues caused by the high obesity rates in the region. Saudi Arabia is the largest consumer and producer of food within the Gulf region. The most desired food type in the GCC region in 2016 was cereal, which was the food type with the lowest food sufficiency ratio.

Abstract

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 2.1 commits countries to end hunger, ensure access by all people to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year around. Indicator 2.1.2, “Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES)”, provides internationally-comparable estimates of the proportion of the population facing difficulties in accessing food. More detailed background information is available at http://www.fao.org/in-action/voices-of-the-hungry/fies/en/ .

The FIES-based indicators are compiled using the FIES survey module, containing 8 questions. Two indicators can be computed:
1. The proportion of the population experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity (SDG indicator 2.1.2), 2. The proportion of the population experiencing severe food insecurity.

These data were collected by FAO through the Gallup World Poll. General information on the methodology can be found here: https://www.gallup.com/178667/gallup-world-poll-work.aspx. National institutions can also collect FIES data by including the FIES survey module in nationally representative surveys.

Microdata can be used to calculate the indicator 2.1.2 at national level. Instructions for computing this indicator are described in the methodological document available in the documentations tab. Disaggregating results at sub-national level is not encouraged because estimates will suffer from substantial sampling and measurement error.

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

Individuals

Universe

Individuals of 15 years or older with access to landline and/or mobile phones.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

NA Exclusions: Includes only Kuwaitis, Arab expatriates and non-Arabs who were able to complete the interview in Arabic, English, Bengali or Hindi. Design effect: 1.89

Mode of data collection

Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing [CATI]

Cleaning operations

Statistical validation assesses the quality of the FIES data collected by testing their consistency with the assumptions of the Rasch model. This analysis involves the interpretation of several statistics that reveal 1) items that do not perform well in a given context, 2) cases with highly erratic response patterns, 3) pairs of items that may be redundant, and 4) the proportion of total variance in the population that is accounted for by the measurement model.

Sampling error estimates

The margin of error is estimated as 4.3. This is calculated around a proportion at the 95% confidence level. The maximum margin of error was calculated assuming a reported percentage of 50% and takes into account the design effect.

Data appraisal

The variable WHLDAY was not considered in the computation of the published FAO food insecurity indicator based on FIES due to the results of the validation process. The variable WORRIED was not considered in the computation of the published FAO food insecurity indicator based on FIES due to the results of the validation process.

Abstract

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 2.1 commits countries to end hunger, ensure access by all people to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year around. Indicator 2.1.2, “Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES)”, provides internationally-comparable estimates of the proportion of the population facing difficulties in accessing food. More detailed background information is available at http://www.fao.org/in-action/voices-of-the-hungry/fies/en/

The FIES-based indicators are compiled using the FIES survey module, containing 8 questions. Two indicators can be computed:
1. The proportion of the population experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity (SDG indicator 2.1.2), 2. The proportion of the population experiencing severe food insecurity.

These data were collected by FAO through the Gallup World Poll. General information on the methodology can be found here: https://www.gallup.com/178667/gallup-world-poll-work.aspx. National institutions can also collect FIES data by including the FIES survey module in nationally representative surveys.

Microdata can be used to calculate the indicator 2.1.2 at national level. Instructions for computing this indicator are described in the methodological document available in the downloads tab. Disaggregating results at sub-national level is not encouraged because estimates will suffer from substantial sampling and measurement error.

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

Individuals

Universe

Individuals of 15 years or older with access to landline and/or mobile phones.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

With some exceptions, all samples are probability based and nationally representative of the resident adult population. The coverage area is the entire country including rural areas, and the sampling frame represents the entire civilian, non-institutionalized, aged 15 and older population. For more details on the overall sampling and data collection methodology, see the World poll methodology attached as a resource in the downloads tab. Specific sampling details for each country are also attached as technical documents in the downloads tab. Exclusions: Transnistria (Prednestrovie) excluded for safety of interviewers. The excluded area represents approximately 13% of the population. Design effect: 1.97

Mode of data collection

Face-to-Face [f2f]

Cleaning operations

Statistical validation assesses the quality of the FIES data collected by testing their consistency with the assumptions of the Rasch model. This analysis involves the interpretation of several statistics that reveal 1) items that do not perform well in a given context, 2) cases with highly erratic response patterns, 3) pairs of items that may be redundant, and 4) the proportion of total variance in the population that is accounted for by the measurement model.

Sampling error estimates

The margin of error is estimated as 4.4. This is calculated around a proportion at the 95% confidence level. The maximum margin of error was calculated assuming a reported percentage of 50% and takes into account the design effect.

Albania Prevalence of Moderate or Severe Food Insecurity in the Population: % of population data was reported at 30.200 % in 2021. This records a decrease from the previous number of 30.900 % for 2020. Albania Prevalence of Moderate or Severe Food Insecurity in the Population: % of population data is updated yearly, averaging 37.100 % from Dec 2015 (Median) to 2021, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 39.000 % in 2016 and a record low of 30.200 % in 2021. Albania Prevalence of Moderate or Severe Food Insecurity in the Population: % of population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Albania – Table AL.World Bank.WDI: Social: Health Statistics. The percentage of people in the population who live in households classified as moderately or severely food insecure. A household is classified as moderately or severely food insecure when at least one adult in the household has reported to have been exposed, at times during the year, to low quality diets and might have been forced to also reduce the quantity of food they would normally eat because of a lack of money or other resources.;Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO);;

Abstract

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 2.1 commits countries to end hunger, ensure access by all people to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year around. Indicator 2.1.2, “Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES)”, provides internationally-comparable estimates of the proportion of the population facing difficulties in accessing food. More detailed background information is available at http://www.fao.org/in-action/voices-of-the-hungry/fies/en/ .

The FIES-based indicators are compiled using the FIES survey module, containing 8 questions. Two indicators can be computed:
1. The proportion of the population experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity (SDG indicator 2.1.2), 2. The proportion of the population experiencing severe food insecurity.

These data were collected by Kantar, on behalf of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). General information on the methodology and implementation is available in the documentations tab. National institutions can also collect FIES data by including the FIES survey module in nationally representative surveys.

Microdata can be used to calculate the indicator 2.1.2 at national level. Instructions for computing this indicator are described in the methodological document available in the documentations tab. Disaggregating results at sub-national level is not encouraged because estimates will suffer from substantial sampling and measurement error.

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

Individuals

Universe

Individuals of 15 years or older with access to landline and/or mobile phones.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

A multi-stage sampling, random route walk method was employed. The first level was an automatic selection of all administrative level one units in the country. After this, PSUs were selected in each units, followed by SSUs. Exclusions: The regions of Tillabéri and Diffa were excluded from sampling for safety reasons. The unsampled areas cover approximately 13 percent of the national population. Design effect: NA

Mode of data collection

Computer Assisted Telephone Interview [cati]

Cleaning operations

Statistical validation assesses the quality of the FIES data collected by testing their consistency with the assumptions of the Rasch model. This analysis involves the interpretation of several statistics that reveal 1) items that do not perform well in a given context, 2) cases with highly erratic response patterns, 3) pairs of items that may be redundant, and 4) the proportion of total variance in the population that is accounted for by the measurement model.

Sampling error estimates

The margin of error is estimated as NA. This is calculated around a proportion at the 95% confidence level. The maximum margin of error was calculated assuming a reported percentage of 50% and takes into account the design effect.

Abstract

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 2.1 commits countries to end hunger, ensure access by all people to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year around. Indicator 2.1.2, “Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES)”, provides internationally-comparable estimates of the proportion of the population facing difficulties in accessing food. More detailed background information is available at http://www.fao.org/in-action/voices-of-the-hungry/fies/en/

The FIES-based indicators are compiled using the FIES survey module, containing 8 questions. Two indicators can be computed:
1. The proportion of the population experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity (SDG indicator 2.1.2), 2. The proportion of the population experiencing severe food insecurity.

These data were collected by FAO through the Gallup World Poll. General information on the methodology can be found here: https://www.gallup.com/178667/gallup-world-poll-work.aspx. National institutions can also collect FIES data by including the FIES survey module in nationally representative surveys.

Microdata can be used to calculate the indicator 2.1.2 at national level. Instructions for computing this indicator are described in the methodological document available in the downloads tab. Disaggregating results at sub-national level is not encouraged because estimates will suffer from substantial sampling and measurement error.

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

Individuals

Universe

Individuals of 15 years or older with access to landline and/or mobile phones.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

With some exceptions, all samples are probability based and nationally representative of the resident adult population. The coverage area is the entire country including rural areas, and the sampling frame represents the entire civilian, non-institutionalized, aged 15 and older population. For more details on the overall sampling and data collection methodology, see the World poll methodology attached as a resource in the downloads tab. Specific sampling details for each country are also attached as technical documents in the downloads tab. Exclusions: NA Design effect: 1.86

Mode of data collection

Face-to-Face [f2f]

Cleaning operations

Statistical validation assesses the quality of the FIES data collected by testing their consistency with the assumptions of the Rasch model. This analysis involves the interpretation of several statistics that reveal 1) items that do not perform well in a given context, 2) cases with highly erratic response patterns, 3) pairs of items that may be redundant, and 4) the proportion of total variance in the population that is accounted for by the measurement model.

Sampling error estimates

The margin of error is estimated as 4.2. This is calculated around a proportion at the 95% confidence level. The maximum margin of error was calculated assuming a reported percentage of 50% and takes into account the design effect.

Abstract

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 2.1 commits countries to end hunger, ensure access by all people to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year around. Indicator 2.1.2, “Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES)”, provides internationally-comparable estimates of the proportion of the population facing difficulties in accessing food. More detailed background information is available at http://www.fao.org/in-action/voices-of-the-hungry/fies/en/ .

The FIES-based indicators are compiled using the FIES survey module, containing 8 questions. Two indicators can be computed: 1. The proportion of the population experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity (SDG indicator 2.1.2), 2. The proportion of the population experiencing severe food insecurity.

These data were collected by FAO through the Gallup World Poll. General information on the methodology can be found here: https://www.gallup.com/178667/gallup-world-poll-work.aspx. National institutions can also collect FIES data by including the FIES survey module in nationally representative surveys.

Microdata can be used to calculate the indicator 2.1.2 at national level. Instructions for computing this indicator are described in the methodological document available under the "DOCUMENTATION" tab above. Disaggregating results at sub-national level is not encouraged because estimates will suffer from substantial sampling and measurement error.

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

Individuals

Universe

Individuals of 15 years or older.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

A sampling quota of at least 200 observations per each Administrative 1 areas is set Exclusions: NA Design effect: NA

Mode of data collection

Computer Assisted Telephone Interview [cati]

Cleaning operations

Statistical validation assesses the quality of the FIES data collected by testing their consistency with the assumptions of the Rasch model. This analysis involves the interpretation of several statistics that reveal 1) items that do not perform well in a given context, 2) cases with highly erratic response patterns, 3) pairs of items that may be redundant, and 4) the proportion of total variance in the population that is accounted for by the measurement model.

Sampling error estimates

The margin of error is estimated as NA. This is calculated around a proportion at the 95% confidence level. The maximum margin of error was calculated assuming a reported percentage of 50% and takes into account the design effect.

Data appraisal

Since the population with access to mobile telephones is likely to differ from the rest of the population with respect to their access to food, post-hoc adjustments were made to control for the potential resulting bias. Post-stratification weights were built to adjust the sample distribution by gender and education of the respondent at admin-1 level, to match the same distribution in the total population. However, an additional step was needed to try to ascertain the food insecurity condition of those with access to phones compared to that of the total population.

Using FIES data collected by FAO through the GWP between 2014 and 2019, and a variable on access to mobile telephones that was also in the dataset, it was possible to compare the prevalence of food insecurity at moderate or severe level, and severe level only, of respondents with access to a mobile phone to that of the total population at national level.

Abstract

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 2.1 commits countries to end hunger, ensure access by all people to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year around. Indicator 2.1.2, “Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES)”, provides internationally-comparable estimates of the proportion of the population facing difficulties in accessing food. More detailed background information is available at http://www.fao.org/in-action/voices-of-the-hungry/fies/en/ .

The FIES-based indicators are compiled using the FIES survey module, containing 8 questions. Two indicators can be computed:
1. The proportion of the population experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity (SDG indicator 2.1.2), 2. The proportion of the population experiencing severe food insecurity.

These data were collected by FAO through the Gallup World Poll. General information on the methodology can be found here: https://www.gallup.com/178667/gallup-world-poll-work.aspx. National institutions can also collect FIES data by including the FIES survey module in nationally representative surveys.

Microdata can be used to calculate the indicator 2.1.2 at national level. Instructions for computing this indicator are described in the methodological document available in the documentations tab. Disaggregating results at sub-national level is not encouraged because estimates will suffer from substantial sampling and measurement error.

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

Individuals

Universe

Individuals of 15 years or older with access to landline and/or mobile phones.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

NA Exclusions: NA Design effect: 2.7

Mode of data collection

Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing [CATI]

Cleaning operations

Statistical validation assesses the quality of the FIES data collected by testing their consistency with the assumptions of the Rasch model. This analysis involves the interpretation of several statistics that reveal 1) items that do not perform well in a given context, 2) cases with highly erratic response patterns, 3) pairs of items that may be redundant, and 4) the proportion of total variance in the population that is accounted for by the measurement model.

Sampling error estimates

The margin of error is estimated as 5.1. This is calculated around a proportion at the 95% confidence level. The maximum margin of error was calculated assuming a reported percentage of 50% and takes into account the design effect.

Data appraisal

The variable DEGURBA was not considered in the computation of the published FAO food insecurity indicator based on FIES due to the results of the validation process.

Food Security and Nutrition Indicators for Pakistan.

Contains data from the FAOSTAT bulk data service.

Saint Kitts and Nevis KN: Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity in the Population: % of population data was reported at 5.600 % in 2022. This stayed constant from the previous number of 5.600 % for 2021. Saint Kitts and Nevis KN: Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity in the Population: % of population data is updated yearly, averaging 6.400 % from Dec 2018 (Median) to 2022, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.100 % in 2018 and a record low of 5.600 % in 2022. Saint Kitts and Nevis KN: Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity in the Population: % of population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Saint Kitts and Nevis – Table KN.World Bank.WDI: Social: Health Statistics. The percentage of people in the population who live in households classified as severely food insecure. A household is classified as severely food insecure when at least one adult in the household has reported to have been exposed, at times during the year, to several of the most severe experiences described in the FIES questions, such as to have been forced to reduce the quantity of the food, to have skipped meals, having gone hungry, or having to go for a whole day without eating because of a lack of money or other resources.;Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO);;

United States US: Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity in the Population: % of population data was reported at 0.800 % in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.700 % for 2021. United States US: Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity in the Population: % of population data is updated yearly, averaging 0.800 % from Dec 2015 (Median) to 2022, with 8 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.100 % in 2015 and a record low of 0.700 % in 2021. United States US: Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity in the Population: % of population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.World Bank.WDI: Social: Health Statistics. The percentage of people in the population who live in households classified as severely food insecure. A household is classified as severely food insecure when at least one adult in the household has reported to have been exposed, at times during the year, to several of the most severe experiences described in the FIES questions, such as to have been forced to reduce the quantity of the food, to have skipped meals, having gone hungry, or having to go for a whole day without eating because of a lack of money or other resources.;Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO);;

Household food security status, by living arrangement, Canada, provinces and territories.

Number and percentage of persons by household food security status and economic family type, Canada and provinces.

As of November 2021, 31.9 percent of Mozambique's population were food insecure. This corresponded to 9.4 million people that had insufficient food for consumption. The share has been fluctuating, with the peak measured in July 2021, at 41.4 percent.