According World Bank Data, food security continues to be at alarming levels in most low-income countries, particularly in Africa with an estimated 61.6 million food-insecure people in East Africa and that nearly 50 million people projected to face food insecurity in Western and Central Africa. Conflicts and climate change continue to be the main driver of food insecurity.

Domestic food price inflation

Domestic food price inflation remains high in many low-income countries. Information from the latest month between October 2024 and January 2025 for which food price inflation data are available shows that inflation higher than 5% is experienced in 73.7% of low-income countries (1.5 percentage points higher since the last update on January 14, 2025), 52.2% of lower-middle-income countries (8.7 percentage points higher), 38% of upper-middle-income countries (no change), and 5.6% of high-income countries (1.8 percentage points lower). In real terms, food price inflation exceeded overall inflation in 56% of the 164 countries where data is available.

Global prices of AMIS crops

According to the February 2025 edition of the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) Market Monitor, global prices of AMIS crops (wheat, maize, rice, and soybeans) are currently lower than they were a year ago, with the exception of maize, where international export prices reached a 15-month peak amid supply concerns.

Only 3% Allocated to Global funding

The 2024 Financing Flows and Food Crises report revealed that, on average, only 3% (USD 6.3 billion) of total development funding is allocated to the food sector—far less than the 33% (USD 10.3 billion) directed toward global humanitarian assistance.

A recent World Bank blog post presents five alarming statistics that highlight the urgency of the global food and nutrition security situation and the vital role of data innovations in combating global hunger