Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population (%) in Ethiopia
Ethiopia: Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population (%) was 16.6% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population in Ethiopia, 2015–2024
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population in Ethiopia is 16.6%, measured in 2024.
The figure is down 12.6% on the previous year and up 14.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population in Ethiopia peaked at 21.1% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 14.1%, in 2018.
Ethiopia ranks 23rd of 128 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population (%) in Ethiopia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 14.5% | — |
| 2016 | 15.0% | +3.4% |
| 2017 | 14.8% | -1.3% |
| 2018 | 14.1% | -4.7% |
| 2019 | 16.4% | +16.3% |
| 2020 | 19.6% | +19.5% |
| 2021 | 21.1% | +7.7% |
| 2022 | 19.7% | -6.6% |
| 2023 | 19.0% | -3.6% |
| 2024 | 16.6% | -12.6% |
Ethiopia compared with similar countries
- Ethiopia's 16.6% is below the median for low income countries, which is 17.6%, 94% of the median. (15 countries reporting)
- Ethiopia's 16.6% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 17.0%, 97% of the median. (34 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 15.0% | 14.1% | 16.4% | 5 |
| 2020s | 19.2% | 16.6% | 21.1% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Ethiopia
More health data for Ethiopia
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.67 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.9494 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 19,997 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 148 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 1.34 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0709 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 1.36 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0742 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population in Ethiopia?
- Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population in Ethiopia was 16.6% in 2024, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
- What is the highest prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population recorded in Ethiopia?
- The highest recorded value was 21.1% in 2021.
- What is the lowest prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population recorded in Ethiopia?
- The lowest recorded value was 14.1% in 2018.
- How does Ethiopia rank for prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population?
- Ethiopia ranks 23rd out of 128 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population rising or falling in Ethiopia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 14.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Ethiopia data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), published as part of Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The percentage of people in the population who live in households classified as severely food insecure. A household is classified as severely food insecure when at least one adult in the household has reported to have been exposed, at times during the year, to several of the most severe experiences described in the FIES questions, such as to have been forced to reduce the quantity of the food, to have skipped meals, having gone hungry, or having to go for a whole day without eating because of a lack of money or other resources.