Global Hunger Index 2025: Is Zero Hunger Out of Reach?

The international community has lost interest in ending hunger. That is– provocatively put – the gist of the results of the 20th edition of the Global Hunger Index. Years of success with a significant decline in hunger have been followed by years of near stagnation. It would be cynical to celebrate the lack of an increase in hunger as a success – because the declared goal is quite a different one: “Zero Hunger” by 2030.

On October 9, 2025, WHH, Concern Worldwide, and the Institute for Peace Security Law and Humanitarian International Law at Ruhr University Bochum published the new edition of the Global Hunger Index (GHI). Unlike in previous years, the 20th edition does not focus on a specific topic in addition to presenting global, regional, and national hunger trends. Rather, it takes a general look back at policy recommendations and their development over the last 20 years.

Experts and policymakers from various disciplines, organizations, and regions describe progress and challenges from their perspective. Country studies highlight successes as well as challenges.

What do the Global Hunger Index figures tell us?

The Global Hunger Index is a report reviewed by external experts and published annually by Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide. Since 2024, the Institute for International Law of Peace and Security and Humanitarian Law has been calculating and further developing the index. Since its first edition in 2006, the GHI has become an important civil society report for measuring long-term trends in the occurrance of hunger at the global, regional, and national levels. The report draws attention to the global extent of hunger and provides incentives to improve the situation. It also serves as a basis for dialogue with governments, civil society, academia, and other actors in various countries.

The GHI is unique in that it combines various hunger indicators to paint a vivid picture of the situation in the 130 countries covered. To capture the complexity and multidimensionality of hunger, the GHI combines four indicators:

This allows the GHI to measure not only the availability of calories, but also the quality and utilization of food.

What are the current trends in hunger?

The GHI 2025 notes that the overall hunger level (the global GHI value) has fallen slightly by only 0.7 index points to 18.3 from 19.0 in 2016, the last methodologically comparable year. This is hardly an improvement. In 27 countries, hunger has actually increased again since 2016. In comparison, the level improved from 23.5 to 19 between 2008 and 2016, a decrease of 4.5 index points.

Nevertheless, it makes sense to stick to the goal of ending hunger by 2030. Even if the GHI forecast assumes that, at the current rate, 56 countries will miss the goal of low hunger levels by 2030. That is not very encouraging. Globally, this goal would not be achieved until 2137 – more than a century later.

The main drivers of hunger

The main drivers of hunger have long been known: armed conflict, economic instability, growing inequality, and the consequences of climate change. In forming a polycrisis, these drivers reinforce each other and have a negative impact on the food situation of millions of people. In 2024, 8.2 percent of the global population or an estimated 673 million people suffered from undernourishment (one of the four indicators of the GHI).

But instead of a joint effort to combat these crises – proven recipes for success that led to significant improvements in the years before 2016 could be financially and politically supported – the opposite is largely happening. To use a soccer analogy, it is as if the team with a narrow lead were to take two of its own players off the field after the first half without replacing them.

But hunger is not a game. And when dealing with the almost incomprehensible numbers of people suffering from hunger, individual fates are usually overlooked. The GHI report is therefore enriched with examples of people who have successfully countered the threat of hunger. These concrete success stories and the developments prior to 2016 should be a motivation to increase commitment. However, political will is lacking almost everywhere.

Instead of admitting to the collective failure of the international community in achieving its own goals, politicians are increasingly resorting to clumsy diversionary tactics – including simply denying climate change, playing national interests off against supposedly declining support from abroad, or openly attacking those who still provide support.

There is no lack of solutions

As this year's edition of the GHI once again makes clear, there is no shortage of solutions or warning signs, but rather a lack of political will, sufficient funding, and the consistent, sustainable implementation of measures.

How have the recommendations changed over the last 20 years?

The GHI 2025 looks at recommendations from seven areas over time:

1. National policy and governance:

Earlier recommendations emphasized market liberalization and infrastructure development. Later, the focus shifted to human rights, gender equality, conflict sensitivity, and local participation. Today, the emphasis is on cross-sectoral cooperation and legally enshrined food security.

2. Rural development and agriculture:

The focus has shifted from increasing productivity to climate-resilient, inclusive food systems. Investments should strengthen particularly disadvantaged groups and promote local capacities.

3. Data and accountability:

Since 2008, the importance of monitoring and collecting local data has been emphasized. Transparency and participatory accountability mechanisms are considered key to effective policy.

4. Climate protection and resilience:

Forward-looking measures that address climate, conflict, and social inequalities together are recommended. Local resilience and early warning systems are essential.

5. Inclusive development:

Empowering marginalized groups—especially women and smallholder farmers—is central. Good local governance and participation are considered prerequisites for sustainable food security.

6. Cross-sectoral strategies:

Food policy must be linked to education, health, and water management. The GHI report calls for coherent, system-based approaches to combat the structural causes of hunger.

7. Development financing:

Long-term, coordinated investments are necessary. The GHI report calls for smart, equitable, and transparent financing that sustainably empowers local actors and addresses structural causes.

In 2006, the GHI was established with the now largely confirmed hypothesis that pooling knowledge, political will, and decisive action can make a crucial contribution to overcoming hunger. The GHI has always contributed to the aspect of education through scientific rigor and the intensive involvement of experts in the preparation process. Some of these experts from academia, politics, and practice present their perspectives on the GHI in this year's edition.

1. Origin and development of the GHI

Joachim von Braun describes the emergence of the GHI as a response to insufficient progress in combating hunger. The aim was to enable country-specific comparisons in order to promote political action. The GHI is intended to serve as a communication tool.

2. Gender equality and climate resilience

Nitya Rao emphasizes that progress has stagnated since 2016. Women are particularly affected by climate change and social inequalities. Time poverty among women has a negative impact on children's nutrition. Justice must be considered in terms of recognition, redistribution, and participation.

3. Political implementation and local participation

Macdonald Metzger from Liberia emphasizes the importance of local partnerships and culturally appropriate communication. The GHI helps to develop targeted measures and use resources efficiently.

4. Right to food and multisectoral approaches

Bimala Rai Paudyal from Nepal reports on progress made through the constitutional right to food, cash transfers, and cross-sectoral programs. Challenges remain in urban areas and in the eating habits of young people.

5. Political leadership and accountability

Klaus von Grebmer emphasizes that progress has been made where top political leaders have made hunger a priority. The GHI promotes accountability and international comparability.

6. Coordination and data

Carolina Trivelli from Peru underscores the need for coordinated strategies, reliable data, and clear responsibilities. The GHI serves as an alarm signal and as a tool for long-term analysis.

7. Implementation of existing policies

Wendy Geza criticizes the fact that many good policies exist but are not implemented. There is a lack of monitoring, clear responsibilities, and local translation of global strategies.

8. Systemic approaches

Kaosar Afsana calls for fair economic and trade systems. Examples such as low wages in Bangladesh and child marriage show how structural problems undermine food security.

9. Hunger and conflict

Dan Smith from SIPRI explains that conflict exacerbates hunger and vice versa. Hunger is sometimes used as a weapon of war. However, food security can also contribute to peacebuilding.

10. The role of young people

Mendy Ndlovu emphasizes the importance of young people for climate protection and food sovereignty. Young people need access to technology and participation in decision-making processes.

How can and must we move forward?

Based on history, current data, and contributions from experts, the GHI report has identified current recommendations in three key areas of action: