Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population (%) in South Korea

South Korea: Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population (%) was 1.3% in 2024. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2024)
1.3%
Change on year
up 18.2%
World rank
108th
of 128 countries
All-time high
1.3%
in 2024
All-time low
0.0%
in 2015
Years of data
10
2015–2024

Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population in South Korea, 2015–2024

00.511.52015201920242015: 0 %2016: 0 %2017: 0 %2018: 0 %2019: 0.6 %2020: 0.7 %2021: 0.8 %2022: 0.9 %2023: 1.1 %2024: 1.3 %

Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Measured in %.

Analysis

In 2024, prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population in South Korea stood at 1.3%. That is the highest value across all 10 years on record.

The figure is up 18.2% on the previous year and up 116.7% over five years.

Over the whole period, prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population in South Korea peaked at 1.3% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 2015.

That places South Korea 108th out of 128 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population (%) in South Korea, year by year

Annual values for Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population (%) in South Korea, 2015 to 2024.
Year % Change
2015 0.0% —
2016 0.0% —
2017 0.0% —
2018 0.0% —
2019 0.6% —
2020 0.7% +16.7%
2021 0.8% +14.3%
2022 0.9% +12.5%
2023 1.1% +22.2%
2024 1.3% +18.2%

South Korea compared with similar countries

  • South Korea's 1.3% is below the median for high income countries, which is 1.9%, 68% of the median. (42 countries reporting)
  • South Korea's 1.3% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 3.4%, 38% of the median. (16 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2010s 0.1% 0.0% 0.6% 5
2020s 1.0% 0.7% 1.3% 5

Countries ranked near South Korea

  1. 106 Japan 1.4% compare
  2. 106 Montenegro 1.4% compare
  3. 108 Slovakia 1.3% compare
  4. 110 Lithuania 1.2% compare
  5. 111 Germany 1.1% compare
  6. 111 Sri Lanka 1.1% compare
  7. 111 United States 1.1% compare

See the full ranking of 151 places →

More health data for South Korea

All data for South Korea →

Frequently asked questions

What is prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population in South Korea?
Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population in South Korea was 1.3% 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 South Korea?
The highest recorded value was 1.3% in 2024.
What is the lowest prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population recorded in South Korea?
The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 2015.
How does South Korea rank for prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population?
South Korea ranks 108th out of 128 countries with data for 2024.
Where does this South Korea 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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Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population in South Korea. Statizoid, drawing on Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Retrieved 11 November 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/stat/prevalence-of-severe-food-insecurity-in-the-population-percent/korea-rep/

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About this data

Indicator
Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population (%)
Unit
%
Source
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
151 places, 1,433 data points, 2014–2024
Last refreshed

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.