Afghanistan Ranks Fifth Globally in Acute Hunger, UN Report Says

Global Food Crises 2026 report ranks Afghanistan among worst-hit countries, with millions facing severe hunger amid worsening humanitarian crisis.

Afghanistan ranks fifth among the world’s worst-affected countries for acute hunger, according to the Global Food Crises 2026 report released by UN agencies, the European Union, and partners.

The report shows 17.4 million people—about 36% of Afghanistan’s population—are facing high levels of acute food insecurity, with 4.7 million experiencing emergency or famine-like conditions.

Countries with higher hunger levels include Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and Yemen, while several others report slightly lower but still severe levels.

Globally, the report estimates that 266 million people across 47 countries faced acute food insecurity in 2025, nearly double the proportion recorded in 2016, underscoring a rapidly worsening global crisis.

The report, produced with contributions from agencies including the Food and Agriculture Organization, highlights that hunger is no longer a short-term emergency but a persistent and growing global challenge.

Conflict, climate shocks, and economic instability are identified as the main drivers of worsening food insecurity worldwide, affecting both low-income and crisis-affected countries.

In Afghanistan, prolonged economic collapse, unemployment, drought, and reduced international aid have deepened the humanitarian crisis, leaving millions dependent on food assistance for survival.

Aid agencies warn that without sustained funding and access, hunger levels could rise further, with long-term consequences for children, livelihoods, and national stability.

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