Number of severely food insecure people (million) (3-year average) in Africa
Africa: Number of severely food insecure people (million) (3-year average) was 319.6 million No in 2023. ▲ Rising
Number of severely food insecure people (million) (3-year average) in Africa, 2014–2023
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Measured in million No.
Analysis
In 2023, number of severely food insecure people (million) (3-year average) in Africa stood at 319.6 million No. That is the highest value across all 10 years on record.
The figure is up 1.8% on the previous year and up 52.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of severely food insecure people (million) (3-year average) in Africa peaked at 319.6 million No in 2023 and was at its lowest, 209.3 million No, in 2014.
That places Africa 5th out of 36 groups with data for 2023, putting it in the top quarter.
Number of severely food insecure people (million) (3-year average) in Africa, year by year
| Year | million No | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 209.3 million No | — |
| 2015 | 226.3 million No | +8.1% |
| 2016 | 240 million No | +6.1% |
| 2017 | 248 million No | +3.3% |
| 2018 | 261 million No | +5.2% |
| 2019 | 280.1 million No | +7.3% |
| 2020 | 295.3 million No | +5.4% |
| 2021 | 304.1 million No | +3.0% |
| 2022 | 313.8 million No | +3.2% |
| 2023 | 319.6 million No | +1.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 244.12 million No | 209.3 million No | 280.1 million No | 6 |
| 2020s | 308.2 million No | 295.3 million No | 319.6 million No | 4 |
Countries ranked near Africa
- 2 Ethiopia 22 million No compare
- 3 Kenya 14.9 million No compare
- 4 Democratic Republic of the Congo 47.9 million No compare
- 4 Pakistan 13.8 million No compare
- 5 Egypt 13.7 million No compare
- 5 United Republic of Tanzania 15.7 million No compare
- 6 Afghanistan 12.9 million No compare
- 7 Iran (Islamic Republic of) 4.4 million No compare
- 7 Malawi 12.6 million No compare
- 8 South Sudan 7.5 million No compare
- 8 Melanesia 3.2 million No compare
More agriculture & rural data for Africa
- Sugar Crops Primary — Area harvested, annual growth rate 0.2698 % change on previous year (2024)
- Cabbages — Area harvested, annual growth rate 0.3138 % change on previous year (2024)
- Vegetables Primary — Production, annual growth rate 2.05 % change on previous year (2024)
- Vegetables Primary — Yield, annual growth rate -0.2987 % change on previous year (2024)
- Vegetables Primary — Area harvested, annual growth rate 2.35 % change on previous year (2024)
- Sugar Crops Primary — Production, annual growth rate 1.47 % change on previous year (2024)
- Sugar Crops Primary — Yield, annual growth rate 1.2 % change on previous year (2024)
- Sheep and Goat Meat — Production, annual growth rate 2.31 % change on previous year (2024)
- Roots and Tubers, Total — Production, annual growth rate 1.94 % change on previous year (2024)
- Sheep and Goat Meat — Yield/Carcass Weight, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of severely food insecure people (million) (3-year average) in Africa?
- Number of severely food insecure people (million) (3-year average) in Africa was 319.6 million No in 2023, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
- What is the highest number of severely food insecure people (million) (3-year average) recorded in Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 319.6 million No in 2023.
- What is the lowest number of severely food insecure people (million) (3-year average) recorded in Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 209.3 million No in 2014.
- How does Africa rank for number of severely food insecure people (million) (3-year average)?
- Africa ranks 5th out of 36 groups with data for 2023.
- Is number of severely food insecure people (million) (3-year average) rising or falling in Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 52.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, published as part of Number of severely food insecure people (million) (3-year average) — Value. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The Suite of Food Security Indicators presents the core set of food security indicators. Following the recommendation of experts gathered in the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) Round Table on hunger measurement, hosted at FAO headquarters in September 2011, an initial set of indicators aiming to capture various aspects of food insecurity is presented here. The choice of the indicators has been informed by expert judgement and the availability of data with sufficient coverage to enable comparisons across regions and over time. Many of these indicators are produced and published elsewhere by FAO and other international organizations. They are reported here in a single database with the aim of building a wide food security information system. More indicators will be added to this set as more data will become available. Indicators are classified along the four dimensions of food security -- availability, access, utilization and stability.