Global Development News

Healthy eating out of reach for billions, UN warns

A joint UN report warns that 2.69 billion people cannot afford a healthy diet, with such diets costing about 4.28 PPP dollars per person per day. Despite global hunger dipping to 7.8% in 2025, affordability remains extremely high, and Africa now has the most hungry people (about 309 million, surpassing Asia’s 292 million). The report urges major policy shifts—investing in infrastructure and supply chains, promoting diverse diets including fruits and vegetables, and addressing rising obesity tied to less varied diets—to reduce costs and improve nutrition.