By: Staff Writer
March 3, 2026
The Pan-American Health Organisation said in a recent report that undernourishment affected 5.1 percent of the population in 2024, down from a peak of 6.1 percent in 2020. This means 6.2 million fewer people are experiencing hunger in the region.
The report, the “2025 Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition: Statistics and Trends,” also said that South America recorded the largest improvement in recent years, reaching an average prevalence of hunger of 3.8 percent, with a decrease of almost one percentage point between 2022 and 2024. Mesoamerican remained relatively unchanged at five percent, as did the Caribbean at 17.5 percent. This last result is explained by the prevalence of undernourishment in Haiti (54.2 percent in the 2022-2024 triennium).
The yearly report highlights that there are already four countries in the region (Brazil, Costa Rica, Guyana and Uruguay) with a prevalence of hunger below 2.5%, while two others (Chile and Mexico) are very close to this threshold, and five are now below 5% (Argentina, Barbados, Colombia, Dominica and Dominican Republic).
The report also said: “Moderate or severe food insecurity affected 25.2 percent of the population in the region in 2024. This is below the global estimate of 28% and it also shows a steady decline since peaking at 33.7 percent in 2020. However, the gender gap remains significant, with prevalence 5.3 percentage points higher among women than men.
“Despite improvements, over 33 million people still face hunger, 167 million experience food insecurity, 181.9 million cannot afford a healthy diet, while 141 million adults live with obesity.”
“The region managed to reduce the prevalence of hunger and food insecurity, but significant inequalities in access to and affordability of food and healthy diets persist. In addition, we must address, through a comprehensive and intersectoral approach, the rising levels of overweight and obesity. FAO is supporting countries in generating data for food security and nutrition and evidence to make better decisions, as well as implementing and evaluating policies and actions to eradicate hunger and reduce malnutrition in all its forms,” said FAO Assistant Director General and Regional Representative, Rene Orellana Halkyer.
Latin America and the Caribbean continues to feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, supply disruptions and geopolitical conflicts that have intensified food price inflation, pushing up the cost of a healthy diet at both global and regional levels. In 2024, the cost of a healthy diet increased 3.8% in Latin America and the Caribbean, making it the region with the highest cost globally, estimated at USD 5.16 per day adjusted for purchasing power.
“While the region has made progress in reducing hunger, significant gaps persist. Women and rural communities continue to experience higher levels of food insecurity than men and urban populations. These findings should serve as a clear wake-up call to redouble efforts and direct investments toward those who need them most. Supporting rural development and the people who produce food is essential to strengthen food security, build resilience, and ensure sustainable growth”, said Rocío Medina Bolívar, IFAD Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.