Every day, millions of people go to bed hungry, and the situation is getting worse. With deadly pandemics, global conflicts, and climate change, the number of people experiencing hunger has dramatically increased. In fact, 1 in 3 people around the world does not have access to adequate food, totaling nearly 2.4 billion people¹.

That's why we observe World Hunger Day² every year on May 28, to raise awareness of food insecurity, malnutrition, and undernutrition around the world. On this day and every other day of the year, it's important to understand the causes and effects of world hunger, and what we can do to fight it.

Gender inequity³, violent conflicts⁴, lack of access to education⁵ and other inequities contribute to chronic hunger. Creating holistic and inclusive strategies to address a wide range of social, economic, and political issues is essential to sustainably ending hunger. We cannot afford to overlook the systemic causes of hunger any longer.

Poverty is one of the major causes of world hunger, which is rampant in many developing countries⁶. This results in limited access to basic necessities such as food, healthcare, and clean water. Poverty also leads to limited access to education, which perpetuates the cycle of poverty and hunger. Furthermore, political instability, corruption, and conflict contribute to hunger by disrupting agricultural production and causing food shortages.

Climate change is also causing shifts in weather patterns, which are affecting agricultural production and contributing to food insecurity⁷. Extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and hurricanes are destroying crops and livestock, which reduces food availability and increases food prices. Climate change is also causing food systems to become more fragile, making them more vulnerable to shocks and disruptions.

Lack of access to education is also a significant contributor to hunger crises around the world⁸. Education provides individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to improve their lives and livelihoods, including increasing their income and food security. Without education, individuals are often trapped in a cycle of poverty, unable to access job opportunities or resources to grow their own food. In addition, education can provide individuals with knowledge about healthy nutrition and sustainable agricultural practices, which can help them produce and access nutritious food.

World hunger has far-reaching effects on individuals, societies, and economies. In addition to the immediate impact of malnutrition, hunger can lead to long-term health problems, stunted growth, and cognitive impairments⁹. Children who are malnourished are more likely to miss school, perpetuating the cycle of poverty and hunger. Hunger also leads to societal instability, as communities struggle to meet basic needs and are more prone to conflict and violence¹⁰. Economically, hunger decreases productivity and economic growth, as individuals and communities are unable to reach their full potential due to malnutrition and poverty¹¹.

We need sustainable solutions to confront hunger and malnutrition on a global scale. Studies show that achieving sustainable solutions is critical to ending world hunger. It requires the collaboration of governments, NGOs, and individuals to create inclusive strategies that address the root causes of hunger¹². Supporting small-scale, local farmers and recognizing their contribution to the food supply is necessary for sustainable agriculture¹³.

Join us in taking action to end world hunger. By signing our pledge, you are committing to take steps to end hunger and malnutrition around the world. Together, we can create a future where everyone has access to healthy and nutritious food. Sign our pledge now and make a difference.

More on this issue:

1. Food Aid Foundation (13 August 2020), "World Hunger Statistics 2020."
2. The Hunger Project (2023), "World Hunger Day."
3. Bread for the World (16 March 2016), "Gender Inequality Worsens Hunger and Poverty."
4. World Food Program USA (2023), "Conflict Causes Hunger."
5. Global Partnership for Education (2023), "Benefits of Education."
6. Anup Shah, Global Issues (3 October 2010), "Causes of Hunger are related to Poverty."
7. Action Against Hunger USA (2023), "What Causes Hunger?"
8. Leah Rodriguez, Global Citizen (6 February 2020), "Understanding How Poverty is the Main Barrier to Education."
9. Unit Life (2021), "Consequences of Chronic Malnutrition."
10. UNICEF (2019), "The Changing Face of Malnutrition."
11. Ron Friedman, Harvard Business Review (17 October 2014), "What You Eat Affects Your Productivity."
12. David Tilman, Christian Balzer, Jason Hill, Belinda L. Befort, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (21 November 2011), "Global food demand and the sustainable intensification of agriculture."
13. United Nations (15 April 2014), "Local and small-scale farming: a solution to hunger and malnutrition."