The World Food Programme (WFP) has reported that about 673 million people, representing nearly eight percent of the global population, are not getting enough to eat and are facing hunger. The UN agency highlighted that export restrictions, tariffs, and unstable commodity prices are disrupting global food markets, making food less affordable and accessible in countries that already struggle with shortages.
The WFP warned that trade policy uncertainty, particularly global tariffs and inflation, is worsening the situation. It stated that these challenges limit access to affordable food, especially in vulnerable regions. The announcement came ahead of the 2025 World Food Day, observed annually on October 16. The agency listed Nigeria among eight countries currently experiencing severe food insecurity.
According to the WFP, nearly two-thirds of the world’s population living in extreme poverty are in Sub-Saharan Africa. “Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, and Ethiopia all face acute food insecurity driven by a combination of conflict, droughts, floods, and desertification,” the organisation said.
The WFP explained that conflict, climate change, and inequality are major drivers of global hunger. It added that armed conflicts in places like Ukraine, Sudan, and Gaza are disrupting food production, supply chains, and access to markets. “This leads to the displacement of people, creating acute food insecurity for millions,” the statement read.
The agency further said that increasing climate variability, including droughts, floods, and heat waves, is undermining farmers’ ability to produce food. It noted that these challenges are reducing agricultural productivity and food availability, especially in developing countries. The WFP also linked rising food and energy prices, inflation, and global economic instability to reduced purchasing power and limited access to nutritious food.
“The COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and climate shocks all contributed to food price surges between 2020 and 2024,” the agency stated. “As food prices rose, real wages fell and inflation kicked in. People, especially in low-income countries, were less able to afford nutritious food and often ate fewer meals per day.”
The WFP said that deep-rooted poverty and inequality continue to limit access to food and essential resources. It added that rural and marginalised communities, particularly women and indigenous groups, face the harshest impacts due to low incomes, poor infrastructure, and limited local services.