According to the Global Hunger Index 2021, which was adopted by the International Food Policy Research Institute, Somalia was the most affected by hunger and malnutrition, with an index of 50.8. Yemen followed with an index of 45.1. The World Hunger Index combines three indicators: undernourishment, child underweight, and child mortality.
There are approximately 516.5 million malnourished individuals living in the Asia and Pacific region and about 239 million malnourished living in Sub-Saharan Africa. Globally, there are 821.6 million people that are considered undernourished or starving. The term malnutrition includes both undernutrition and overnutrition. Undernutrition occurs when an individual cannot maintain normal bodily functions such as growth, recovering from disease, and both learning and physical work. Some conditions such as diarrhea, malaria, HIV/AIDS are considered major causes of undernutrition. Rural and agricultural communities can be especially susceptible to hunger during certain seasons. The annual hunger gap occurs when a family’s food supply may run out before the next season’s harvest is available and can result in malnutrition. Nevertheless, the prevalence of people worldwide that are undernourished has decreased over the last decades, from 18.7 percent in 1990-92 to 9.9 percent in 2020.
Countries that are most affected by hunger and malnutrition according to the Global Hunger Index 2021
The index ranges from the best value of 0 (no hunger) and the worst value of 100, with neither of these extreme values ever being reached. Less than 9.9 means: little hunger From 10 to 19.9: moderate hunger Between 20 and 34.9: serious hunger situation From 35 to 49.9: alarming hunger situation Above 50: extremely alarming hunger situation. The Global Hunger Index is based on three dimensions: Inadequate food supply (undernourishment), child undernutrition (child wasting, child stunting), child mortality (under-five mortality rate. More information on the methodology can be accessed here.
This year's index considered data from 2013 to 2017.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Statista Accounts:
Access All Statistics. Starting from $468 / Year
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
Welthungerhilfe, & IFPRI, & Concern Worldwide. (October 14, 2021). Countries that are most affected by hunger and malnutrition according to the Global Hunger Index 2021 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved August 17, 2022, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/269924/countries-most-affected-by-hunger-in-the-world-according-to-world-hunger-index/
Welthungerhilfe, und IFPRI, und Concern Worldwide. "Countries that are most affected by hunger and malnutrition according to the Global Hunger Index 2021." Chart. October 14, 2021. Statista. Accessed August 17, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/269924/countries-most-affected-by-hunger-in-the-world-according-to-world-hunger-index/
Welthungerhilfe, IFPRI, Concern Worldwide. (2021). Countries that are most affected by hunger and malnutrition according to the Global Hunger Index 2021. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: August 17, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/269924/countries-most-affected-by-hunger-in-the-world-according-to-world-hunger-index/
Welthungerhilfe, and IFPRI, and Concern Worldwide. "Countries That Are Most Affected by Hunger and Malnutrition According to The Global Hunger Index 2021." Statista, Statista Inc., 14 Oct 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/269924/countries-most-affected-by-hunger-in-the-world-according-to-world-hunger-index/
Welthungerhilfe & IFPRI & Concern Worldwide, Countries that are most affected by hunger and malnutrition according to the Global Hunger Index 2021 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/269924/countries-most-affected-by-hunger-in-the-world-according-to-world-hunger-index/ (last visited August 17, 2022)