Rising Costs of Healthy Diets Hit Low-Income Countries Hardest, World Bank Data Shows

The affordability of a healthy diet remains deeply unequal across the globe, with new data from the World Bank revealing sharp contrasts by income level between 2017 and 2024. The chart, drawn from The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025 report, tracks the Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) and the Number of Unaffordability (CoAHD NUA) across countries classified by income.

Low-Income Countries Face Steepest Challenges

The most striking finding is the trajectory of low-income countries, where the cost of a healthy diet has risen steadily since 2017, reaching its highest point in 2024. For these countries, affordability worsened considerably after 2019, and the upward trend has shown no sign of reversing. Rising global food prices, disruptions from the pandemic, and ongoing conflicts have all contributed to making nutritious diets increasingly out of reach for the poorest households.

Diverging Trends Among Other Groups

Lower-Middle-Income Countries (excluding India): These economies also show a noticeable increase in diet costs, though less severe than in low-income countries. By 2024, costs remain above 2017 levels, reflecting persistent affordability issues.

Lower-Middle-Income (World): When including all lower-middle-income countries, the data indicates a relatively stable pattern, though costs remain slightly elevated compared to the 2017 baseline.

Upper-Middle-Income Countries: In sharp contrast, this group demonstrates a clear decline in the cost of healthy diets since 2019. By 2024, affordability is significantly better than in earlier years, suggesting resilience in food systems and stronger social protections.

High-Income Countries: The cost of a healthy diet in high-income economies has remained relatively stable, with slight decreases over time. Access to diverse food markets and stronger purchasing power help buffer these countries from global food shocks.

Global Inequality in Food Access

The data underscores how food affordability is not only a matter of global supply but also of income distribution and resilience. While wealthier countries are seeing diets become more affordable, low-income countries are moving in the opposite direction, with millions unable to afford even basic nutritious meals.

Implications for Food Security

These trends highlight an urgent need for international action to address global food inequality. Interventions could include:

Expanding social protection programs to shield vulnerable populations.

Investing in local agriculture and resilient supply chains to reduce dependence on volatile global markets.

Strengthening nutrition-sensitive policies that make healthy foods accessible and affordable, particularly in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

Conclusion

The affordability gap between rich and poor countries has widened dramatically over the past seven years. While high- and upper-middle-income economies are seeing improved access to healthy diets, low-income countries are increasingly falling behind. The World Bank’s findings send a clear message: without targeted global and national efforts, the dream of ending hunger and malnutrition will remain out of reach for millions.