2013 World Hunger and Poverty Facts and Statistics by World ...
http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/world hunger facts ...
2013 World Hunger and Poverty Facts and
Statistics
World Hunger Education Service
DEPARTMENTS
(Also see World Child Hunger Facts)
This fact sheet is divided into the following sections:
Hunger concepts and definitions
Number of hungry people in the world
Children and hunger
Does the world produce enough food to feed everyone?
Causes of hunger
Progress in reducing the number of hungry people
Micronutrients
YOU CAN!...
Hunger concepts and definitions
Hunger is a term which has three meanings (Oxford English Dictionary 1971)
the uneasy or painful sensation caused by want of food; craving appetite. Also the
exhausted condition caused by want of food
the want or scarcity of food in a country
a strong desire or craving
MORE ABOUT
HUNGER NOTES
World hunger refers to the second definition, aggregated to the world level. The related
technical term (in this case operationalized in medicine) is either malnutrition, or, if
malnutrition is taken to refer to both undernutrition and overnutrition, undernutrition. Both
malnutrition and undernutrition refer to not having enough food.
Malnutrition (or undernutrition) is a general term that indicates a lack of some or all
nutritional elements necessary for human health (Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia).
There are two basic types of malnutrition. The first and most important is protein-energy
malnutrition (PEM). It is basically a lack of calories and protein. Food is converted into
energy by humans, and the energy contained in food is measured by calories. Protein is
necessary for key body functions including provision of essential amino acids and
development and maintenance of muscles. This is the most lethal form of
malnutrition/hunger and is the type of malnutrition that is referred to when world hunger is
discussed.
The second type of malnutrition, also very important, is micronutrient (vitamin and
mineral) deficiency. This is not the type of malnutrition that is referred to when world
hunger is discussed, though it is certainly very important.
Take a two-question hunger quiz on this section
Number of hungry people in the world
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that nearly 870 million
1 of 7
5/10/14, 8:09 AM
2013 World Hunger and Poverty Facts and Statistics by World ...
http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/world hunger facts ...
people of the 7.1 billion people in the world, or one in eight, were suffering from chronic
undernourishment in 2010-2012. Almost all the hungry people, 852 million, live in
developing countries, representing 15 percent of the population of developing counties.
There are 16 million people undernourished in developed countries (FAO 2012).
The number of undernourished people decreased nearly 30 percent in Asia and the
Pacific, from 739 million to 563 million, largely due to socio-economic progress in many
countries in the region. The prevalence of undernourishment in the region decreased from
23.7 percent to 13.9 percent.
Latin America and the Caribbean also made progress, falling from 65 million hungry in
1990-1992 to 49 million in 2010-2012, while the prevalence of undernourishment dipped
from 14.6 percent to 8.3 percent. But the rate of progress has slowed recently.
The number of hungry grew in Africa over the period, from 175 million to 239 million, with
nearly 20 million added in the last few years. Nearly one in four are hungry. And in
sub-Saharan Africa, the modest progress achieved in recent years up to 2007 was
reversed, with hunger rising 2 percent per year since then.
Developed regions also saw the number of hungry rise, from 13 million in 2004-2006 to
16 million in 2010-2012, reversing a steady decrease in previous years from 20 million in
1990-1992 (FAO 2012).
The above is based on the new estimates of world hunger by the FAO using revised
proceedures. It is worth noting that the new estimates give a different answer than the old
estimates as the graph below shows (Lappe, 2013).
Children and hunger
Children are the most visible victims of undernutrition. Children who are poorly nourished
suffer up to 160 days of illness each year. Poor nutrition plays a role in at least half of the
10.9 million child deaths each year--five million deaths. Undernutrition magnifies the
effect of every disease, including measles and malaria. The estimated proportions of
deaths in which undernutrition is an underlying cause are roughly similar for diarrhea
(61%), malaria (57%), pneumonia (52%), and measles (45%) (Black 2003, Bryce 2005).
Malnutrition can also be caused by diseases, such as the diseases that cause diarrhea,
by reducing the body's ability to convert food into usable nutrients.
According to the most recent estimate that Hunger Notes could find, malnutrition, as
measured by stunting, affects 32.5 percent of children in developing countries--one of
three (de Onis 2000). Geographically, more than 70 percent of malnourished children live
in Asia, 26 percent in Africa and 4 percent in Latin America and the Caribbean. In many
cases, their plight began even before birth with a malnourished mother. Under-nutrition
among pregnant women in developing countries leads to 1 out of 6 infants born with low
birth weight. This is not only a risk factor for neonatal deaths, but also causes learning
disabilities, mental, retardation, poor health, blindness and premature death.
Take a three-question hunger quiz on this section
Does the world produce enough food to feed everyone?
The world produces enough food to feed everyone. World agriculture produces 17
percent more calories per person today than it did 30 years ago, despite a 70 percent
2 of 7
5/10/14, 8:09 AM
2013 World Hunger and Poverty Facts and Statistics by World ...
http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/world hunger facts ...
population increase. This is enough to provide everyone in the world with at least 2,720
kilocalories (kcal) per person per day according to the most recent estimate that we could
find (FAO 2002, p.9). The principal problem is that many people in the world do not have
sufficient land to grow, or income to purchase, enough food.
What are the causes of hunger?
What are the causes of hunger is a fundamental question, with varied answers.
Poverty is the principal cause of hunger. The causes of poverty include poor people's
lack of resources, an extremely unequal income distribution in the world and within
specific countries, conflict, and hunger itself. As of 2008 (2005 statistics), the World Bank
has estimated that there were an estimated 1,345 million poor people in developing
countries who live on $1.25 a day or less.1 This compares to the later FAO estimate of
1.02 billion undernourished people. Extreme poverty remains an alarming problem in the
world’s developing regions, despite some progress that reduced "dollar--now $1.25-- a
day" poverty from (an estimated) 1900 million people in 1981, a reduction of 29 percent
over the period. Progress in poverty reduction has been concentrated in Asia, and
especially, East Asia, with the major improvement occurring in China. In Sub-Saharan
Africa, the number of people in extreme poverty has increased. The statement that
'poverty is the principal cause of hunger' is, though correct, unsatisfying. Why then are
(so many) people poor? The next section summarizes Hunger Notes answer.
Harmful economic systems are the principal cause of poverty and hunger. Hunger
Notes believes that the principal underlying cause of poverty and hunger is the ordinary
operation of the economic and political systems in the world. Essentially control over
resources and income is based on military, political and economic power that typically
ends up in the hands of a minority, who live well, while those at the bottom barely survive,
if they do. We have described the operation of this system in more detail in our special
section on Harmful economic systems.
Conflict as a cause of hunger and poverty. At the end of 2005, the global number of
refugees was at its lowest level in almost a quarter of a century. Despite some large-scale
repatriation movements, the last three years have witnessed a significant increase in
refugee numbers, due primarily to the violence taking place in Iraq and Somalia. By the
end of 2008, the total number of refugees under UNHCR’s mandate exceeded 10 million.
The number of conflict-induced internally displaced persons (IDPs) reached some 26
million worldwide at the end of the year . Providing exact figures on the number of
stateless people is extremely difficult But, important, (relatively) visible though it is, and
anguishing for those involved conflict is less important as poverty (and its causes) as a
cause of hunger. (Using the statistics above 1.02 billion people suffer from chronic hunger
while 36 million people are displaced [UNHCR 2008])
Hunger is also a cause of poverty, and thus of hunger. By causing poor health, low
levels of energy, and even mental impairment, hunger can lead to even greater poverty by
reducing people's ability to work and learn, thus leading to even greater hunger.
Climate change Climate change is increasingly viewed as a current and future cause of
hunger and poverty. Increasing drought, flooding, and changing climatic patterns requiring
a shift in crops and farming practices that may not be easily accomplished are three key
issues. See the Hunger Notes special report: Hunger, the environment, and climate
change for further information, especially articles in the section: Climate change, global
3 of 7
5/10/14, 8:09 AM
2013 World Hunger and Poverty Facts and Statistics by World ...
http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/world hunger facts ...
warming and the effect on poor people such as Global warming causes 300,000 deaths
a year, study says and Could food shortages bring down civilization?
Progress in reducing the number of hungry people
There are two sets of issues that must be considered in evaluating progress: estimations
of hunger, and goals set.
Estimations of hunger. As indicated above, the two FAO estimations differ. Specifically,
since 1992, the earlier estimate has hunger going up, while the later has hunger going
down.
Secondly, how do you evaluate progress—what goals have been set.
The target set at the 1996 World Food Summit was to halve the number of
undernourished people by 2015 from their number in 1990-92. The target set by the
Millenium goals was to halve the proportion of hungry people by 2015
World Food Summit target. The target set at the 1996 World Food Summit was to halve
the number of undernourished people by 2015 from their number in 1990-92. (FAO uses
three year averages in its calculation of undernourished people.)
Progress using the old estimate of world hunger. The number of undernourished people
in developing countries using the old estimate was 824 million in 1990-92. In 2010-2012,
the number had increased to 870 million people. So rather than being cut in half to 420,
the number has increased to 870 million.
Using the new estimates of world hunger, the number of undernourished people was 1
billion in 1990-92 and had decreased to 870 in 2010-12, with the goal 500 million people.
Millenium goal target. Using the old estimates, there were 824 million hungry people in
1990-92 and the world population was 5,370 million (US census estimates for 1991).
Thus the proportion was .143 and halving it would be .071. The current proportion (870
million hungry divided by 2013 world population of 7,095) is .122. Thus in 2013 the world
is .051 of world population away from reaching this target, or 362 million people.
Using the new estimates, there were 1 billion hungry people in 1990-92 and and the
world population was 5,370 million (US census estimates for 1991). Thus the proportion
was .18 and halving it would be .09. The current proportion (870 million hungry divided
by 2013 world population of 7,095) is .123. Thus in 2013, the world is .033 away, or 234
million people, from reaching this target.
Thus, in summary, the world is from 870 million to 234 million people away from reaching
a hunger reduction goal, depending on which goal and which estimate is chosen.
Micronutrients
Quite a few trace elements or micronutrients--vitamins and minerals--are important for
health. 1 out of 3 people in developing countries are affected by vitamin and mineral
deficiencies, according to the World Health Organization. Three, perhaps the most
important in terms of health consequences for poor people in developing countries, are:
Vitamin A Vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness and reduces the body's
resistance to disease. In children Vitamin A deficiency can also cause growth retardation.
4 of 7
5/10/14, 8:09 AM
2013 World Hunger and Poverty Facts and Statistics by World ...
http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/world hunger facts ...
Between 100 and 140 million children are vitamin A deficient. An estimated 250,000 to
500 000 vitamin A-deficient children become blind every year, half of them dying within 12
months of losing their sight. (World Health Organization)
Iron Iron deficiency is a principal cause of anemia. Two billion people—over 30 percent of
the world’s population—are anemic, mainly due to iron deficiency, and, in developing
countries, frequently exacerbated by malaria and worm infections. For children, health
consequences include premature birth, low birth weight, infections, and elevated risk of
death. Later, physical and cognitive development are impaired, resulting in lowered
school performance. For pregnant women, anemia contributes to 20 percent of all
maternal deaths (World Health Organization).
Iodine Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) jeopardize children´s mental health– often their
very lives. Serious iodine deficiency during pregnancy may result in stillbirths, abortions
and congenital abnormalities such as cretinism, a grave, irreversible form of mental
retardation that affects people living in iodine-deficient areas of Africa and Asia. IDD also
causes mental impairment that lowers intellectual prowess at home, at school, and at
work. IDD affects over 740 million people, 13 percent of the world’s population. Fifty
million people have some degree of mental impairment caused by IDD (World Health
Organization).
(Updated July 27, 2013)
Footnotes
1. The table used to calculate this number.
Region
East Asia and Pacific
% in $1.25 a
day poverty
Population
(millions)
Pop. in $1 a day
poverty (millions)
16.8
1,884
316
8.2
550
45
South Asia
40.4
1,476
596
Sub-Saharan Africa
50.9
763
388
28,8
4673
1345
Europe and Central Asia
0.04
473
17
Middle East and North Africa
0.04
305
11
5451
1372
Latin America and the Caribbean
Total Developing countries
Total
Source: See World Bank PovcalNet "Replicate the World Bank's Regional Aggregation" at
http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/povDuplic.html (accessed May 7, 2010). Also see World Bank
"PovcalNet" at http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTDEC/EXTRESEARCH/EXTPROGRAMS
/EXTPOVRES/EXTPOVCALNET
/0,,contentMDK:21867101~pagePK:64168427~piPK:64168435~theSitePK:5280443,00.html
Bibliography
Black RE, Morris SS, Bryce J. "Where and why are 10 million children dying every year?"
Lancet. 2003 Jun 28;361(9376):2226-34.
Black, Robert E, Lindsay H Allen, Zulfiqar A Bhutta, Laura E Caulfield, Mercedes de Onis,
Majid Ezzati, Colin Mathers, Juan Rivera, for the Maternal and Child Undernutrition Study
5 of 7
5/10/14, 8:09 AM
2013 World Hunger and Poverty Facts and Statistics by World ...
http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/world hunger facts ...
Group Maternal and child undernutrition: global and regional exposures and health
consequences. (Article access may require registration) The Lancet Vol. 371, Issue
9608, 19 January 2008, 243-260.
Jennifer Bryce, Cynthia Boschi-Pinto, Kenji Shibuya, Robert E. Black, and the WHO Child
Health Epidemiology Reference Group. 2005. "WHO estimates of the causes of death
in children." Lancet ; 365: 1147–52.
Cafiero, Carlo and Pietro Gennari. 2011. The FAO indicator of the prevalence of
undernourishment FAO
Caulfield LE, de Onis M, Blössner M, Black RE. Undernutrition as an underlying cause
of child deaths associated with diarrhea, pneumonia, malaria, and measles.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2004; 80: 193–98.
Shaohua Chen and Martin Ravallion. June 2004. "How have the world’s poorest fared
since the early 1980s?" World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 3341 Washington:
World Bank.
de Onis, Mercedes, Edward A. Frongillo and Monika Blossner. 2000. "Is malnutrition
declining? An analysis of changes in levels of child malnutrition since 1980."
Bulletin of the World Health Organization 2000, : 1222–1233.
Food and Agriculture Organization, International Fund for Agricultural Development,
World Food Program. 2002 "Reducing Poverty and Hunger, the Critical Role of
Financing for Food, Agriculture, and Rural Development."
Food and Agriculture Organization. 2006. State of World Food Insecurity 2006
Food and Agriculture Organization. 2010. The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2010
http://www.fao.org/docrep/013/i1683e/i1683e.pdf
Food and Agriculture Organization. 2012. "The State of Food Insecurity in the World
2012" http://www.fao.org/docrep/016/i3027e/i3027e00.htm
Headey, Derek. 2011. “Was the Global Food Crisis Really a Crisis? Simulations
versus Self-Reporting”, IFPRI Discussion Paper 01087.
International Food Policy Research Institute. 2010. 2010 Global Hunger Index
Frances Moore Lappé, Jennifer Clapp, Molly Anderson, Robin Broad, Ellen Messer,
Thomas Pogge and Timothy Wise. 2013. "How We Count Hunger Matters," Ethics &
International Affairs.
Oxford University Press. 1971. Oxford English Dictionary. Definition for malnutrition.
Pelletier DL, Frongillo EA Jr, Schroeder D, Habicht JP. The effects of malnutrition on
child mortality in developing countries. Bulletin of the World Health Organization
1995; 73: 443–48.
United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees. 2007. Statistical Yearbook 2006
"Main Findings"
UNHCR 2008 Global Report 2008 "The Year in Review" http://www.unhcr.org
6 of 7
5/10/14, 8:09 AM
2013 World Hunger and Poverty Facts and Statistics by World ...
http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/world hunger facts ...
/4a2d0b1d2.pdf
World Bank. Understanding Poverty website
World Health Organization Comparative Quantification of Health Risks: Childhood
and Maternal Undernutition
Learn About Hunger Page Hunger Notes Home Page
7 of 7
5/10/14, 8:09 AM