A new regional report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Food Programme (WFP) shows that Latin America and the Caribbean reduced undernourishment for the fourth consecutive year in 2024. According to the 2025 Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition, hunger affected 5.1% of the population in 2024, down from 6.1% in 2020, meaning 6.2 million fewer people are experiencing hunger across the region.
Several countries have made notable progress. Brazil, Costa Rica, Guyana and Uruguay now report hunger prevalence below 2.5%, while Chile and Mexico are close to reaching that threshold. Argentina, Barbados, Colombia, Dominica and the Dominican Republic have reduced hunger levels to below 5%. South America recorded the most significant improvement, with hunger prevalence falling to 3.8%, nearly a one percentage point decline between 2022 and 2024. Mesoamerica remained stable at 5%, while the Caribbean continued to face high levels at 17.5%, largely due to Haiti’s severe food insecurity, where more than half the population was affected during the 2022–2024 period.
Moderate or severe food insecurity impacted 25.2% of the region’s population in 2024, below the global estimate of 28% and significantly lower than the 33.7% peak in 2020. However, disparities persist, particularly among women, who experience food insecurity at rates 5.3 percentage points higher than men. Despite improvements, over 33 million people still face hunger, 167 million experience food insecurity, and 181.9 million cannot afford a healthy diet. At the same time, 141 million adults in the region live with obesity.
The report highlights that while hunger and food insecurity have declined, inequalities in access to nutritious food remain a concern. The lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical conflicts have driven food price inflation. In 2024, the cost of a healthy diet in Latin America and the Caribbean rose by 3.8%, reaching an estimated USD 5.16 per day adjusted for purchasing power, making it the most expensive region globally for a healthy diet. Although affordability has improved since 2021, when it peaked, more than a quarter of the population still cannot afford balanced nutrition.
Nutrition indicators reveal mixed progress. Anaemia affected 19.9% of women aged 15 to 49 in 2023, below the global average but rising steadily since 2014. Adult obesity has doubled since 2000, reaching 29.9% in 2022, nearly twice the global rate. Among children under five, stunting stands at 12.4%, consistently below global levels, and many countries are on track to meet 2030 reduction targets. Wasting remains low at 1.3%, with most countries achieving global targets. However, childhood overweight has increased to 8.8%, exceeding the global estimate and putting the region off track from meeting its 2030 goal.
The report emphasizes that addressing hunger and malnutrition in all its forms requires coordinated policies that strengthen food systems, improve rural development, enhance social protection, and promote healthier food environments. While the region has made measurable progress in reducing hunger, experts warn that sustained investment and targeted interventions are essential to close persistent gaps and ensure equitable access to affordable, nutritious diets for all.
