Archive · 21 Jul 2026
UN Report: One in Three Can't Afford Healthy Diet
A recent UN report says that one in three people around the world cannot afford a healthy diet.
This means that 2.69 billion people cannot buy food that gives them the energy and nutrients they need.
The report says that a healthy diet costs about 4.28 PPP dollars per person each day.
Even though hunger has been going down for the past three years, many people still cannot afford a good diet.
The report also says that governments have been focusing on cheap foods like cereals and starchy staples, but these do not provide all the nutrients people need.
This has led to more obesity and diseases like cancer and diabetes.
Africa has the highest number of hungry people, with 309 million people not being able to afford a healthy diet.
The report calls for more investment in making healthy foods like meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables more affordable and accessible.
One in three people globally cannot afford a healthy diet, according to a UN report.
A healthy diet costs 4.28 PPP dollars per person per day.
Global hunger has declined for the third consecutive year, affecting 7.8% of the world's population in 2025.
Government support has focused on cereals and starchy staples, leading to a lack of diet diversity.
Africa has the highest number of hungry people, with 309 million unable to afford a healthy diet in 2025.
- Who
- The UN agencies (FAO, WHO, UNICEF, UN World Food Programme, International Fund for Agricultural Development)
- What
- The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2026 report
- When
- Report released on July 21, 2026
- Where
- Globally, with a focus on Africa
- Why
- To highlight the global food security situation and the affordability of a healthy diet
Government Support Focus
Diet Diversity Advocates
Government Support
Government Support Focus
Government support has largely focused on cereals and starchy staples, providing calories but not a diverse diet.
Diet Diversity Advocates
Advocates argue for greater investment in infrastructure, research, and development to make nutrient-rich foods more accessible and affordable.
- Report Title
- The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2026
- Agencies Involved
- FAO, WHO, UNICEF, UN World Food Programme, International Fund for Agricultural Development
- Cost of Healthy Diet
- 4.28 PPP dollars per person per day
- Global Hunger Rate
- 7.8% in 2025, down from 8.1% in 2024
- Adult Obesity Rate
- 16.2% in 2024, up from 12.1% in 2012
- Africa's Hunger Burden
- 66.6% of Africa's population could not afford a healthy diet in 2025
- Hungry People in Africa
- 309 million in 2025
- Hungry People in Asia
- 292 million in 2025