By Cristina Rivas / Translated by Adriana Serrano
For the first time in more than a decade, Latin America has recorded hunger levels below the global average. This milestone, highlighted by the latest UN regional report on food security and nutrition (2024), reflects that 28.2% of the region’s population lives with food insecurity, against 28.9% worldwide. This slight but significant improvement represents a relief for about 20 million people between 2022 and 2023.
Progress has not been homogeneous. While South America leads the way with a sustained decline in hunger, Central America maintains stable figures, and the Caribbean faces an alarming decline: more than 58% of its population does not have regular access to adequate food. According to Mario Lubetkin, FAO Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, these differences are due, in part, to the unequal impact of climate change in the different subregions.
Climate change is outlined as one of the main threats to food security. According to the report, at least 20 Latin American countries face a high exposure to extreme events, such as droughts, floods, and cyclones, which directly affect food production, raise prices, and hinder access to nutritious diets. Rossana Polastri, of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), warned that these factors not only exacerbate hunger, but also increase vulnerability of rural communities, especially those already living in precarious conditions.
Further contributing to this is a silent form of malnutrition: childhood overweight. Nearly nine million children under five suffer from this condition in the region. This reveals that it is not only urgent to guarantee access to food, but also promote healthy and sustainable eating habits. Karin Hulshof, UNICEF Regional Director, emphasizes that the response must be comprehensive and multisectorial, with an approach that strengthens the resilience of productive systems and places the most affected people at the center.
The decrease of hunger in the region marks a hopeful step, but there is still a long way to go. Consolidating this progress will require political will, international cooperation, and a firm commitment to equity. In a region as diverse as Latin America, achieving dignified, safe, and sustainable food for all is not only possible: it is urgent.
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