[2] Source: Save the Children press release on Sudan famine crisis worsens: children show physical signs of starvation. Available at: https://www.savethechildren.net/news/sudan-famine-crisis-worsens-children-show-physical-signs-starvation
[3] Source: Integrated Food Security Phase Classification country analysis details map on Gaza. Available at: https://www.ipcinfo.org/ipc-country-analysis/details-map/en/c/1157985/
[4] The occupied Palestinian territory is not included in the annual FAO data on undernourishment.
[5] Source: Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) country index rankings. Available at: https://gain.nd.edu/our-work/country-index/rankings/
In 2024, the world witnessed a staggering number of children born into hunger, with at least 18.2 million babies facing food insecurity from the moment they entered the world. This equates to approximately 35 children born into hunger every minute, highlighting the urgent need for action to address this crisis. A recent analysis conducted by Save the Children revealed that conflict and climate crises have played a significant role in driving an additional 800,000 children into hunger over the past year.
The analysis, based on data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), showed a 5% increase in the number of children born into hunger in 2024 compared to the previous year. This marks a concerning trend, as progress in combating childhood hunger had already begun to stall in 2019. Factors such as conflict, displacement, extreme weather events, and rising food costs have all contributed to the decline in children’s nutrition globally.
Countries facing severe food insecurity, such as South Sudan, Haiti, Mali, and Sudan, have seen famine-like conditions leading to widespread malnutrition among children. In Sudan, for example, famine-levels of malnutrition have spread across half of the country’s states, putting countless children at risk. Similarly, the northern Gaza Strip faced a looming famine, with hundreds of thousands of people at risk of catastrophic hunger in the coming months.
Hannah Stephenson, Global Head of Hunger and Nutrition at Save the Children, emphasized the need for immediate action to address this crisis. She highlighted the importance of providing funding and access to humanitarian services for families in desperate need of food, healthcare, and other essential support. Without intervention, the progress made in reducing child malnutrition could be reversed, further jeopardizing the future of millions of children.
Children born into hunger are the most vulnerable in food crises, facing the risk of acute malnutrition that can have long-lasting effects on their physical and mental development. Countries with high levels of hunger, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Pakistan, have seen a significant number of babies born undernourished, highlighting the pressing need for intervention in these regions.
Save the Children is calling on world leaders to address the root causes of food and nutrition insecurity, including the need to reduce conflicts, mitigate the impact of climate change, and tackle global inequality. By building more resilient health, nutrition, and social protection systems, we can work towards ensuring a brighter future for all children, free from the burdens of hunger and malnutrition. According to a recent analysis conducted, it has been estimated that the proportion of children impacted by hunger is comparable to the overall population average. This calculation was based on applying undernourishment rates to the number of births in each country. However, it is important to note that this estimation may actually underestimate the true impact, as it is likely that impoverished communities, which tend to have a higher proportion of children, are more susceptible to experiencing hunger.
The analysis revealed that in 2001, more than 21.5 million children were born into conditions of hunger. Over the years, there has been some fluctuation in these numbers, with a decrease to approximately 14.5 million in 2018, followed by an increase to 15.3 million in 2019. By 2024, the estimated minimum number of undernourished births rose to 18.2 million.
Recent reports from Save the Children have highlighted the worsening famine crisis in Sudan, where children are displaying visible signs of starvation. Additionally, the Gaza Strip is facing acute food insecurity, with projections indicating a challenging situation from November 2024 to April 2025.
It is important to note that country-level data for the occupied Palestinian territories is not included in the FAO’s The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2024 report, which serves as a key source of information for such analyses.
To gain further insight into the global food security landscape, organizations like the Global Adaptation Index provide rankings and data on various countries’ resilience to hunger and malnutrition.
As we strive to address the issue of childhood hunger and food insecurity, it is crucial to continue monitoring and analyzing data to inform targeted interventions and policies. By working together, we can make a meaningful impact and ensure a brighter future for all children.
