Africa surpasses Asia with highest population facing hunger: UN

📌 Summary:

• For the first time, Africa has become the continent with the largest number of people facing hunger, according to the UN annual report on food security and nutrition (SOFI)
• A growing number of Africans face undernourishment even as global hunger has shown gradual improvement in recent years
• Report finding: overall progress on reducing hunger has been real but uneven across regions — Africa lagging while Asia improves
• Implication: shifting geography of global hunger, driven by conflict, climate shocks and economic stress in Africa

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2/GS3 — global food security, undernourishment trends, SDG-2 (Zero Hunger), and India stake as a large food producer and provider of food aid.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) is published jointly by FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO
• 2026 report: Africa now has the highest number of people facing hunger, overtaking Asia
• SOFI tracks progress toward SDG-2 (Zero Hunger)

🔑 Key Term: SOFI Report — The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, an annual UN flagship report measuring hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition globally.