Over 30% of global food wasted as millions face hunger, new report reveals

Over 30% of global food wasted as millions face hunger, new report reveals
———————————

More than three million children die annually from hunger-related causes worldwide, even as approximately 1.3 billion tons of food—about one-third of all food produced for human consumption—is lost or wasted each year, according to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization and the Global Report on Food Crises, highlighting a stark imbalance between food availability and access.

The United Nations has marked March 30 as International Day of Zero Waste, with “food waste” as this year’s theme, urging governments, businesses, and individuals to take coordinated action. According to recent data, more than 295 million people across 53 countries faced acute hunger in 2024, an increase of 13.7 million compared to the previous year.

Among the most severe cases, around 1.4 million people are experiencing famine-level food insecurity, with Gaza Strip recording the highest number at 640,600, followed by Sudan and South Sudan. Millions more face emergency levels of hunger in countries including Yemen, Afghanistan, and Nigeria.

Children remain among the most affected, with 43 million experiencing severe hunger and nearly 45 percent of deaths among children under five linked to malnutrition.

At the same time, food waste remains widespread. Countries such as China, India, Bangladesh, Brazil, Nigeria and United States rank among the largest contributors, driven by factors including overconsumption, inefficient supply chains and transportation, poor product handling, improper household habits, and inadequate storage, underscoring the global scale of the crisis.