2.1.2 Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity (female) (15) in South America

South America: 2.1.2 Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity (female) (15) was 21.5 % in 2025. ▲ Rising

Latest (2025)
21.5 %
Change on year
down 7.7%
Rank
20th
of 33 groups
All-time high
35.3 %
in 2021
All-time low
16.4 %
in 2014
Years of data
12
2014–2025

2.1.2 Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity (female) (15) in South America, 2014–2025

0102030402014201920252014: 16.4 %2015: 19.5 %2016: 25.6 %2017: 28.2 %2018: 25.3 %2019: 25.5 %2020: 32.7 %2021: 35.3 %2022: 31.4 %2023: 25.2 %2024: 23.3 %2025: 21.5 %

Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Measured in %.

Analysis

South America recorded 21.5 % for 2.1.2 prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity (female) (15) in 2025.

The figure is down 7.7% on the previous year and up 10.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, 2.1.2 prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity (female) (15) in South America peaked at 35.3 % in 2021 and was at its lowest, 16.4 %, in 2014.

South America ranks 20th of 33 groups on this measure, in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 12 years of available data.

2.1.2 Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity (female) (15) in South America, year by year

Annual values for 2.1.2 Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity (female) (15 years old and over) (no breakdown by urbanisation) — Value in South America, 2014 to 2025.
Year % Change
2014 16.4 %
2015 19.5 % +18.9%
2016 25.6 % +31.3%
2017 28.2 % +10.2%
2018 25.3 % -10.3%
2019 25.5 % +0.8%
2020 32.7 % +28.2%
2021 35.3 % +8.0%
2022 31.4 % -11.0%
2023 25.2 % -19.7%
2024 23.3 % -7.5%
2025 21.5 % -7.7%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2010s 23.42 % 16.4 % 28.2 % 6
2020s 28.23 % 21.5 % 35.3 % 6

Countries ranked near South America

  1. 17 Lesotho 62.1 % compare
  2. 18 Cameroon 61.2 % compare
  3. 19 Madagascar 60.7 % compare
  4. 20 Ethiopia 60 % compare
  5. 21 Togo 56.9 % compare
  6. 22 Namibia 55.8 % compare
  7. 23 Botswana 54.3 % compare

See the full ranking of 165 places →

More agriculture & rural data for South America

All data for South America →

Frequently asked questions

What is 2.1.2 prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity (female) (15) in South America?
2.1.2 prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity (female) (15) in South America was 21.5 % in 2025, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
What is the highest 2.1.2 prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity (female) (15) recorded in South America?
The highest recorded value was 35.3 % in 2021.
What is the lowest 2.1.2 prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity (female) (15) recorded in South America?
The lowest recorded value was 16.4 % in 2014.
How does South America rank for 2.1.2 prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity (female) (15)?
South America ranks 20th out of 33 groups with data for 2025.
Is 2.1.2 prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity (female) (15) rising or falling in South America?
Over the last ten years it is up 10.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this South America data come from?
The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, published as part of 2.1.2 Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity (female) (15 years old and over) (no breakdown by urbanisation) — Value. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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2.1.2 Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity (female) (15) in South America. Statizoid, drawing on Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Retrieved 16 September 2026, from https://agriculture.statizoid.com/stat/2-1-2-prevalence-of-moderate-or-severe-food-insecurity-female-15-years-old-and-over-no/south-america/

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About this data

Indicator
2.1.2 Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity (female) (15 years old and over) (no breakdown by urbanisation) — Value
Unit
%
Source
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Licence
CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO (FAO)
Coverage
165 places, 1,608 data points, 2014–2025
Last refreshed

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