The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has released its Statistical Yearbook 2025, an annual report that provides a detailed global overview of trends in food and agriculture. Launched during FAO’s 80th anniversary and in celebration of World Statistics Day, the Yearbook compiles internationally harmonized data from national statistical offices and FAO’s global partners. It serves as an essential tool for policymakers, researchers, and the public, offering insights into the role of agriculture in the economy, food security, nutrition, and environmental sustainability.
This year’s edition introduces a new indicator — the prevalence of minimum dietary diversity — designed to monitor progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2), which focuses on ending hunger and malnutrition. The indicator assesses whether populations, particularly women and children, have access to and consume a diverse range of foods, a key component of adequate nutrition and health.
The 2025 Yearbook also marks the 100th anniversary of the first World Programme for the Census of Agriculture guidelines and includes improved data on forest product trade, covering areas such as processed wood and paper products. As forests play a critical role in mitigating climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide, the Yearbook underscores the importance of sustainable forest management and trade data in advancing a global bioeconomy.
FAO’s Chief Statistician, José Rosero Moncayo, highlighted that the Yearbook remains the most trusted and comprehensive source of agricultural data worldwide. He emphasized that reliable statistics are vital for developing effective policies, tracking progress, and maintaining accountability in achieving global development goals.
The digital edition of the Yearbook includes interactive data visualizations and is complemented by the Statistical Pocketbook, a concise summary of key agricultural facts and trends. In addition to data dissemination, FAO continues to enhance global statistical capacities, promote international data standards, and use innovations such as big data analytics. Through its FAOSTAT platform, FAO provides free access to over 20,000 indicators across 245 countries and territories, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agrifood systems through trusted data.
