Global Nutrition Gap Persists as 2.6 Billion People Still Cannot Afford a Healthy Diet

Washington, D.C. — Despite gradual improvements in global food security, a new joint analysis by the World Bank Group and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) highlights a troubling imbalance in access to nutritious food. The latest figures show that while some regions are making progress, billions of people—especially in low-income countries—remain unable to afford a healthy diet.

According to the updated global assessment referenced in recent World Bank data visuals, approximately 2.6 billion people, or nearly one-third of the world’s population, were unable to afford a nutritionally adequate diet in 2024. Although this marks an improvement of nearly 48.8 million people compared to the previous year, experts warn that the overall situation remains fragile and uneven.

Uneven Recovery Across Regions

The report suggests that global improvements in food affordability are largely driven by economic stabilization in higher-income and upper-middle-income regions. In parts of Asia and Latin America, easing inflationary pressures and recovering supply chains have contributed to better access to basic nutrition.

However, the benefits of this recovery are not evenly distributed. Sub-Saharan Africa and several low-income economies continue to face rising food insecurity, with many households experiencing worsening access to essential nutrients.

Analysts point to persistent structural challenges, including high import dependence, currency instability, and limited agricultural productivity, which make these regions particularly vulnerable to global price shocks.

Rising Cost of Healthy Diets

A key concern highlighted in the analysis is the rising cost difference between healthy and unhealthy food options. Fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and protein-rich foods have become significantly more expensive in many markets, while ultra-processed and calorie-dense foods remain comparatively cheap.

This imbalance, according to food security experts, is reshaping dietary patterns among low-income households. Families under financial pressure are increasingly forced to prioritize calorie intake over nutritional quality, leading to diets that meet energy needs but lack essential vitamins and minerals.

Understanding Food Affordability

The concept of an “unaffordable” diet is defined when the cost of a healthy food basket exceeds the portion of household income available for food consumption. This measurement is based on the minimum dietary energy requirement of approximately 2,330 kilocalories per person per day, adjusted according to local food prices and market availability.

This approach helps illustrate not only hunger levels but also the hidden burden of poor-quality diets that may not result in starvation but still contribute to malnutrition.

Health and Development Consequences

Experts warn that the implications of unaffordable nutritious diets extend far beyond hunger. Rising food costs are closely linked to increased rates of child malnutrition, particularly wasting and stunting in children under five years of age.

Studies suggest that even a modest rise in local food prices can significantly increase the risk of acute undernutrition, deepening long-term health and cognitive challenges for vulnerable populations.

Beyond health impacts, poor nutrition also affects education outcomes, workforce productivity, and overall economic development, creating a cycle that is difficult for low-income countries to break.

Call for Targeted Action

International agencies emphasize the need for stronger policy interventions to address the growing nutrition divide. Recommended measures include targeted food subsidies, investment in local agriculture, improved supply chain resilience, and expanded social protection programs for vulnerable households.

There is also increasing focus on promoting access to affordable, nutrient-dense foods rather than relying on low-cost, low-quality alternatives that contribute to long-term health risks.

A Divided Global Food Future

While recent trends show modest global improvement, the data underscores a stark reality: progress in nutrition is not reaching everyone equally. As billions still struggle to afford a healthy diet, experts caution that without coordinated global action, the gap between food-secure and food-insecure populations may continue to widen in the years ahead.