Factors affecting food security
The United Nations have identified the COVID-19 pandemic, armed conflicts and weather shocks as reasons for more people facing hunger in recent years. They estimate that over 700 million people faced hunger in 2022. They also estimate that three billion people could not afford a healthy diet in the same year; this is just under ten percent of the World’s population. The United Nations report that one third of adults that live in rural areas experienced moderate or severe food insecurity. Around one quarter did in urban areas.
In all parts of the World, food insecurity affects women more severely than men. The United Nations reported that this figure was around 2.4% more likely for women in 2022, which is a reduction from 3.8% the year before. Food insecurity varies depending upon region. The United Nations have reported that moderate or severe food insecurity rose slightly in Africa, Northern America and Europe in 2022. It remained similar in Asia but reduced by over 15 million people in Central and South America.
The United Nations estimates the proportion of undernourished people each year. The data in this table is from their publication, The State of Food Insecurity and Nutrition in the World 2023.
Question
Describe any trends you can in this data over time. Use numbers in your answer. [4 marks]
The percentage of undernourished people reduced from 2005 to 2018 but increased again after that. It is highest in Africa in all years from 2005 to 2022. The biggest reduction has been in Asia from 13.9% in 2005 to 8.5% in 2022. Northern America and Europe have the lowest percentage in all years at less than 2.5%.
A country is in crisis if a significant part of the All of the members of a single species that live within a geographical area. is vulnerable to death or disease.
Question
What is the relationship between countries in crisis and all developing countries? Use numbers in your answer.
In both 2005 to 2007 and 2010 to 2012 the prevalence of undernourished people was much higher in countries in crisis than other developing countries. It is about 39% rather around 15%. Undernourishment is therefore over twice as likely in countries in crisis. An alternative answer: In developing countries and in China and India, undernourishment has reduced from 2005 to 2010 by an average of 1.5% whereas in countries in crisis it has increased by 0.5%