Top 20 Hungriest Countries in the World for 2024: A Comprehensive Analysis

In our world, 733 million people face hunger every day. Despite enough food being produced, hunger and malnutrition are big problems. Poverty plays a big role in this issue. The 2024 Global Hunger Index by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe highlights the worst-hit countries.

The Global Hunger Index shows that 2.8 billion people can’t afford a healthy diet. In low-income countries, this number is 71.5%, while in high-income countries, it’s 6.3%. Hunger is rated as Serious in 36 countries and Alarming in 6, including Burundi and Yemen.

More people are hungry now than in 2019, with 152 million more facing hunger. Sadly, 1.33 million people are in famine or famine-like situations. Every year, 9 million people die from hunger, with many being children. Hunger is caused by conflict, climate change, and economic crises, needing political solutions.

Key Takeaways

• 733 million people, or 1 in 11 individuals, experience hunger daily
• 2.8 billion people cannot afford a healthy diet
• The Global Hunger Index rates hunger levels as Serious in 36 countries and Alarming in 6 countries
• 152 million more people are experiencing hunger compared to 2019
• Conflict, climate change, and economic crises are the main drivers of hunger

Understanding the Global Hunger Index

The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a tool that tracks hunger worldwide. It looks at four main indicators: undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting, and the under-five mortality rate. Each country gets a score from 0 (no hunger) to 100 (worst possible score).

Components of the GHI

The GHI focuses on three areas: food supply, child undernutrition, and child mortality. It shows how many people don’t get enough calories and how many kids are too thin or too short. It also looks at child deaths linked to hunger.

Calculating the GHI

To get the GHI scores, a three-step process is used. First, each indicator is given a score out of 100. Then, these scores are added up for each country. Lastly, countries are ranked based on their GHI scores.

Severity of Hunger	GHI Score Range
Low	≤ 9.9
Moderate	10.0-19.9
Serious	20.0-34.9
Alarming	35.0-49.9
Extremely Alarming	≥ 50.0

Significance of GHI Scores and Rankings

The GHI scores and rankings help us see where hunger is a big problem. They help us find out where to focus our efforts to fight hunger. The 2024 Global Hunger Index score is 18.3, showing a slight improvement from 2016’s score.

But, hunger levels are not the same everywhere. Africa South of the Sahara and South Asia face the worst hunger levels.

By understanding the GHI, we can tackle hunger and malnutrition globally. It’s a key tool for making progress.

Global Hunger Trends in 2024

The Global Hunger Index (GHI) for 2024 gives us a detailed look at hunger worldwide. It uses data on undernourishment, child mortality, and child health. Sadly, about 733 million people face hunger, which is one in eleven globally and one in five in Africa.

Overview of the world’s GHI score for 2024

The GHI scores for the top 20 hungriest countries range from 5 to 63.6. This shows the hunger severity as Serious, Alarming, or Extremely Alarming. In the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), over 53% of the population is undernourished.

Comparison with previous years

More people face hunger now than in 2019, with 152 million more undernourished in 2023. This highlights the urgent need for action to fight global hunger.

Regions most affected by hunger

Africa is hit hardest by hunger, with 20.4% of its population undernourished in 2023. The Central African Republic (CAR) is in a critical state, with one-fourth of its people displaced and a third hungry. Somalia has the second-highest undernourishment rate, third-highest child mortality, and seventh-highest child wasting rate.

Region	Hunger Prevalence (%)
Africa	20.4
Asia	8.1
Latin America	6.2

While Latin America has seen progress, Western Asia and the Caribbean have seen hunger increase. We need specific help for each region to tackle hunger disparities.

The fight against global hunger is far from over. The 2024 Global Hunger Index shows us how much work is left to ensure everyone has enough nutritious food.

The Top 20 Hungriest Countries in the World for 2024

The 2024 Global Hunger Index shows the hungriest countries in the world. These places struggle with food insecurity. The Global Hunger Index scores highlight the need for better nutrition and food security.

In Somalia, over half of the people are undernourished. Nearly 12% of children are wasted, and over 10% die before they are five. Yemen also faces a crisis, with around 49% of children stunted, over 16% wasted, and more than 39% undernourished.

Chad has about 17% of its population facing hunger. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has nearly 25 million people facing high food insecurity. In Haiti, over 50% of the population is undernourished. It’s projected that nearly 2 million people will reach emergency food levels by June 2025.

Niger has 10% of its population facing high food insecurity, estimated at 3.2 million people. Liberia has about 47% of its population undernourished. The Central African Republic has over 25% of its population hungry. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea also struggles with hunger, with 53% of its population undernourished.

Country	Key Hunger Statistics
Somalia	51% undernourished, 12% child wasting, 10% child mortality
Yemen	49% child stunting, 16% child wasting, 39% undernourished
Democratic Republic of Congo	25 million facing high food insecurity
Haiti	50% undernourished, 2 million projected to face emergency food insecurity
Niger	10% (3.2 million) facing high food insecurity

Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Niger, Somalia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are also on the list. Chad, Lebanon, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Syria, and Yemen are at risk of joining the list of countries with the highest hunger levels.

Conflict, climate change, economic instability, and poverty make it hard for these countries to ensure food security and nutrition. It’s important for governments, international organizations, and the global community to work together. They must help alleviate hunger and improve living conditions in these hotspots.

Somalia

Somalia ranks 127th on the Global Hunger Index (GHI) with a score of 44.1, facing a severe hunger crisis in 2024. Over half of its population, 51.3%, is undernourished, the second-highest rate globally. The hunger situation is worsened by ongoing conflict, economic issues, and climate change impacts.

The conflict in Somalia has ruined livelihoods and displaced millions, making food and services hard to get. With 80% of Somalis depending on farming and herding, climate shocks like droughts and floods worsen hunger. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) says La Niña will increase hunger by 22%, affecting 4.4 million people.

The hunger crisis in Somalia is very bad for children. It has the third-highest child mortality rate at 10.6% and the seventh-highest child wasting rate at 11.8%. About 1.6 million children under 5 will suffer from acute malnutrition from August 2024 to July 2025. Malnutrition can harm children’s growth and learning, leading to more poverty and hunger.

Despite the challenges, groups and the world are trying to help Somalia. They provide emergency food, support farming, and work on ending the conflict. But, the crisis is big, and more help is needed to stop hunger in Somalia.

Yemen

Yemen is struggling with conflict and import dependence. It faces a severe food shortage in 2024. Almost 49% of children suffer from stunting, making Yemen second in the world.

Yemen also has the third-highest child wasting rate, affecting over 16% of its young population. Undernourishment is a big problem, with Yemen ranking fifth at over 39%.

The conflict started in 2014 and has made food insecurity worse. Yemen imports 70% of its food, including 90% of wheat and 100% of rice, tea, and sugar. This makes it hard for the country to get food when it needs it.

Climate change adds to Yemen’s problems. It affects 70% of rural Yemenis who rely on farming. The conflict, import dependence, and climate change have led to a 23% of the population facing high food insecurity in 2022, the highest in eight years.

The situation for children is very bad. Yemen has high stunting and wasting rates and a high child mortality rate. Here’s a table showing how bad it is:

Indicator	Value	Global Rank
Child Stunting Rate	49%	2nd
Child Wasting Rate	16%	3rd
Undernourishment Rate	39%	5th

Yemen needs a solution that includes stopping the conflict, getting international help, and building resilience against climate change. Without quick action, Yemen’s children will keep suffering.

Chad

Chad is facing big challenges like food security, climate change, conflict, and inequality. It’s among the top 20 hungriest countries for 2024. The country has made some progress, but it has a high child mortality rate. More than one in ten children don’t live past five.

In February 2024, Chad declared a food emergency. About 17% of the people are hungry. The Global Hunger Index shows Chad’s hunger level is “Alarming”. Undernourishment affects 31.6% of the population, or 4.3 million people.

Chad’s hunger situation is very bad. It’s among countries with a very low hunger index. The country also hosts refugees from neighboring countries. This adds to the food problem.

In 2023, Chad was one of the African countries with 13% of its people facing severe hunger. This is similar to Mauritania, Nigeria, and Niger. It shows Chad needs help to fight hunger and malnutrition.

Indicator	Value
GHI Score Category	Alarming (35-49.9)
Prevalence of Undernourishment	31.6%
Number of People Undernourished	4.3 million
Population Facing High Levels of Acute Food Insecurity	13%

Data sources: FAOSTAT, Global Hunger Index 2023, Macrotrends

Madagascar

Madagascar is the world’s fifth largest island, home to 28 million people. It struggles with hunger and malnutrition. The country’s agriculture depends on rain, making it vulnerable to drought and cyclones.

Food prices are rising, and many live on less than $3.10 a day. This affects children the most, with 40% suffering from malnutrition.

The southern and southeastern regions are the worst hit, with 1.31 million people facing food insecurity. The World Food Programme (WFP) is working hard to help. They:

• Give hot meals to 360,000 children in nearly 1,000 schools
• Offer food and cash to those affected by disasters
• Help 42,000 children and pregnant women with nutrition
• Support 92,000 people with skills training

The international community is also helping. Countries like the EU, Japan, and USAID are working with the WFP.

Madagascar is among the top 20 hungriest countries. South Sudan and Haiti also face severe food insecurity.

Madagascar’s fight against hunger is tough. It needs ongoing efforts from the government and international partners to solve food insecurity problems.

Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing a huge hunger crisis. A staggering 23.4 million people are struggling with extreme hunger. This is mainly because of conflict and displacement.

The ongoing crisis has led to rising hunger rates. This is due to ongoing violence and civil strife. In the eastern provinces, violence in 2024 has made 25 million people face high food insecurity levels.

The national economy’s volatility affects food prices. Staple prices have soared 51% higher than last year. They are also 101% above the five-year average in November 2023. Nearly 75% of the population lives below the international poverty line, making the situation even worse.

Recent data shows that 282 million people, or 21.5% of the population from 59 countries, face high levels of acute food insecurity. This requires urgent food and livelihood assistance as of 2023. In Central and Southern Africa, 49.6 million people, or 21% of the analyzed population, face high levels of acute food insecurity in 2023 across 13 countries.

The DRC is not alone in its struggle against hunger. Countries like Afghanistan, Yemen, and Syria also face severe hunger crises. The Sahel region has around 13 million people projected to be experiencing crisis levels of hunger due to armed conflict and climate extremes.

Country	Population Facing Extreme Hunger (in millions)	Primary Drivers of Hunger
Democratic Republic of Congo	23.4	Conflict and displacement
Afghanistan	12.4	Four decades of conflict
Yemen	17.0	Ongoing civil war
Syria	12.9	Civil war

The global community must come together to address hunger’s root causes. This includes conflict, economic instability, and rising food prices. We must ensure vulnerable populations have access to the necessary resources and support to break the cycle of hunger and poverty.

Haiti

Haiti, a Caribbean nation, is facing a severe famine threat. The Global Hunger Index 2024 shows over 14% of Haiti’s people are in emergency food insecurity. This is a big jump from before. More than 50% of the country is undernourished, with a 10 percentage point increase from 2017 to 2023.

Haiti’s hunger problem is linked to violence. Factors like erratic rains, high inflation, political issues, and displacement are making things worse. With 350 million people facing extreme hunger and 49 million at famine risk worldwide, Haiti’s situation is critical.

Women are hit hard by malnutrition, making up 60% of those affected globally. In Haiti, women often eat last to feed their children. Sadly, about 5 million children under five die each day from malnutrition, showing how dire the situation is.

Despite the odds, Haiti can fight famine with the right help. By tackling poverty, improving education, and boosting agriculture, Haiti can become more food secure. Supporting sustainable farming, promoting gender equality, and strengthening social safety nets are key steps to fight hunger and violence.

The international community must support Haiti with lasting solutions. We need to empower local communities and work towards lasting change. Together, we can ensure no one is left hungry. The journey will be tough, but with effort and unity, Haiti can rise above this famine and create a better future for all.

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Niger

Niger is mostly in the Sahara Desert and struggles with food security. Only a small part of its land is good for farming. Farming is key, with 80% of people working in it. In early 2024, over 10% of Nigeriens, about 3.2 million, were very hungry.

The World Food Programme (WFP) is fighting hunger in Niger. In 2024, they aim to help nearly 2 million people with food or cash. They’ve also planted over 6.5 million trees and restored 280,000 hectares of land. Plus, they’ve bought over 26,000 metric tons of food from small farmers, helping them and meeting local needs.

Niger has a big problem with child stunting, with over 47% of kids affected. They also have high rates of child wasting and mortality. WFP helps by treating malnutrition in young children and supporting health centers. They also teach mothers how to cook healthy meals, helping the community.

Education is key in fighting hunger. WFP feeds over 325,000 school kids and helps over 36,000 girls stay in school.

Niger is not alone in its hunger crisis. Countries like north-eastern Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen also face severe hunger and malnutrition. Wars, lack of access, poverty, and drought are major reasons for famine.

Liberia

Liberia is working hard to recover from a 14-year civil war, the world’s biggest Ebola outbreak, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The country struggles with poverty and food insecurity. Over half of the people live in poverty, and nearly 47% face food insecurity. This shows how poverty and hunger are closely linked.

Agriculture is a main source of income for many in Liberia. But, the climate crisis has hurt it a lot. This makes food insecurity worse. The undernourishment rate is over 38%, showing the need for help.

The Global Hunger Index (GHI) score for Liberia in 2024 is 33.4. This puts Liberia at the 11th spot among the hungriest countries. This score is very alarming, showing how bad the hunger crisis is.

Indicator	Value
Population below poverty line	50%+
Food insecurity prevalence	47%
Undernourishment rate	38%+
2024 Global Hunger Index score	33.4
2024 Global Hunger Index rank	11

To tackle poverty and food insecurity in Liberia, we need to strengthen agriculture. The climate crisis has hit it hard. We must use climate-resilient farming, give access to resources and tech, and support small farmers. This can help fight climate change’s effects on farming and boost food security.

Central African Republic

The Central African Republic (CAR) is in a severe crisis, with 44% of its people facing extreme hunger. The rate of undernourishment between 2020 and 2022 was a shocking 48.7%, the highest in the world for 2024. It’s among the six countries with the worst hunger levels in 2023, along with Madagascar, Yemen, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, and Niger.

The ongoing conflict has forced many to leave their homes, losing access to food and land. The funding gap for hunger in CAR is 68%, adding to the global need of 65% for hunger relief. The situation is critical, with one in 10 children not reaching five years old, 40% stunted, and 5.3% wasted due to malnutrition.

Yet, there’s hope. An agricultural training program in CAR helps unemployed and displaced youth, aiming to stabilize them and reduce crime. Success stories, like Nazaire Namkomana, who now earns income and wants to grow his business, inspire others.

But, there’s concern about the lack of global attention to CAR, despite some progress like improved cassava seeds for food security. The top 20 hungriest countries hold about 60% of the world’s hungry people. An estimated $8.86 billion is needed to fully address hunger appeals of 17 countries.

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is among the countries with the highest hunger levels. It has a GHI score of 27.8, showing alarming hunger levels. This puts it 23rd in the global rankings.

From 2000 to 2020, the DPRK’s GHI scores have slightly improved. But the situation is far from good.

Food insecurity and child malnutrition are big problems in the DPRK. Over 53% of the population is undernourished. Economic issues, natural disasters, and limited farming resources make things worse. In 2023, 733 million people faced hunger worldwide, with Africa and South Asia being the hardest hit.

Hunger affects children in the DPRK a lot. In 2022, 149 million children under 5 were stunted, 45 million were wasted, and 37 million were overweight or obese. This can harm their growth and development.

Year	GHI Score
2000	39.5
2005	33.1
2010	28.2
2020	27.5

The GHI report looks at four main indicators: undernourishment, child wasting, stunting, and mortality. Fixing these issues is key to fighting hunger and improving food security in the DPRK. Aid groups and governments need to team up to help now and find lasting solutions.

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone, a West African nation, struggles with hunger, poverty, and malnutrition. It has a Global Hunger Index (GHI) score of 31.5 in 2022, ranking 23rd among the 30 hungriest countries. The nation’s hunger problems started with a civil war that hurt its infrastructure and farming. This has made recovery slow and the need for big changes clear.

The 2024 Global Hunger Index shows 36 countries with serious hunger, including Sierra Leone. Hunger has grown by about 152 million people, and 1.33 million face famine or famine-like conditions. These numbers show how urgent it is to fight hunger and poverty in Sierra Leone.

Malnutrition is a big problem in Sierra Leone, with half of child deaths linked to it. Every year, 9 million people die from hunger, with many being children under 5. It’s key to tackle malnutrition to help Sierra Leone’s most vulnerable people.

Despite getting $696 million in aid in 2021, Sierra Leone’s GDP per capita is just $461.4. The country’s economic struggles make it hard for people to get enough food and healthcare.

Country	GHI Score (2022)	Ranking Among Hungriest Countries
Sierra Leone	31.5	23

Combating Sierra Leone hunger, poverty, and malnutrition needs a wide approach. Investing in infrastructure, farming, healthcare, and education can help. This way, Sierra Leone can build a better future for its people, free from hunger and malnutrition.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan is facing a severe food crisis. This is due to ongoing conflict, economic instability, and climate change’s impact on farming. The country is very vulnerable to climate change, making food security a big challenge. It also hosted over 2 million refugees in 2023, putting more pressure on its resources.

The UN’s Hunger Hotspots report for 2024 lists Afghanistan as a country with a high alert for hunger. It’s at risk of seeing even more hunger, along with Chad, Lebanon, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Syria, and Yemen.

In 2023, conflicts affected over 134 million people in Afghanistan, leading to high food insecurity. The country also struggles with child malnutrition, ranking among the worst, after Nigeria and Ethiopia.

Economic instability in Afghanistan has worsened the food crisis. Many Afghans struggle to buy food due to a weak economy. The international community is helping, but more is needed to solve the food security issues.

Zambia

Zambia, a landlocked country in southern Africa, struggles with Zambia malnutrition, child stunting, and food insecurity. These issues hurt the nation’s long-term growth. Zambia is among the top 20 hungriest countries, according to the Global Hunger Index for 2024.

The rate of child stunting in Zambia is very high. Stunting can harm a child’s brain, education, and future work skills. It’s vital to fix this to ensure Zambia’s future success.

Food insecurity is a big problem in Zambia malnutrition. Many families can’t get enough good food because of poverty and climate changes. Climate change has cut Africa’s farm growth by 34% from 1961. Zambia needs better farming, social help, and food plans to fight hunger.

To fight child stunting and food insecurity, Zambia needs a team effort. It should invest in nutrition programs and improve farming, education, and health. Helping women also helps families and kids. By focusing on these areas, Zambia can improve health and well-being. For more on healthy nutrition, check out recipes with good ingredients.

Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau, a small West African nation, struggles with hunger and poverty. It has a Global Hunger Index score of __, making it the __ hungriest country in 2024. About _% of the people face chronic food insecurity, and __% of children suffer from stunting due to malnutrition.

Poverty greatly contributes to hunger in Guinea-Bissau, with __% of the population below the poverty line. This economic struggle makes it hard for people to get nutritious food, worsening food insecurity. The country’s undernourishment rate is over __%, showing severe food scarcity.

Agricultural issues, like low productivity and limited infrastructure, add to the hunger problem. Climate shocks also hurt the country. Women face even more challenges due to discriminatory norms and gender-based violence.

The hunger situation in Guinea-Bissau is very serious. _% of the population might face extreme food insecurity or famine-like conditions. It’s critical to tackle poverty, improve farming, and build resilience against climate change.

Indicator	Value
Global Hunger Index Rank (2024)	__
Population Facing Chronic Food Insecurity	_%
Child Stunting Rate	__%
Population Below Poverty Line	__%
Undernourishment Rate	Over __%

Note: Data sources include the Global Hunger Index report and country-specific statistics.

Syria

Syria is facing a severe food crisis due to ongoing conflict, mass displacement, and economic collapse. Millions of people are struggling with hunger and malnutrition. The war has destroyed infrastructure and disrupted farming, forcing millions to leave their homes. Syria is listed as a country at risk of high hunger levels in the latest Hunger Hotspots report.

The economic situation in Syria has made it hard for families to afford basic needs. Inflation is high, and unemployment is widespread. This has left many Syrians without enough food. The displacement of millions has also strained host communities, making food harder to find.

International aid groups are trying to help those in need with emergency food. But the crisis is huge. To solve the Syrian food crisis, we need to stop the war, help displaced people return, and rebuild the economy. Without quick action, the hunger and suffering will get worse.

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