Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) in Latin America & Caribbean
Latin America & Caribbean: Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) was 5.1% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Prevalence of undernourishment in Latin America & Caribbean, 2001–2024
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Measured in % of population.
Analysis
The most recent figure for prevalence of undernourishment in Latin America & Caribbean is 5.1%, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 24 years on record.
The figure is down 4.3% on the previous year and down 2.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence of undernourishment in Latin America & Caribbean peaked at 10.4% in 2001 and was at its lowest, 5.1%, in 2024.
That places Latin America & Caribbean 32nd out of 47 groups with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 24 years of available data.
Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) in Latin America & Caribbean, year by year
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 10.4% | — |
| 2002 | 10.1% | -2.5% |
| 2003 | 9.8% | -3.0% |
| 2004 | 9.2% | -6.7% |
| 2005 | 8.6% | -6.4% |
| 2006 | 7.9% | -8.1% |
| 2007 | 7.3% | -7.8% |
| 2008 | 6.8% | -6.2% |
| 2009 | 6.5% | -4.9% |
| 2010 | 6.1% | -5.3% |
| 2011 | 5.8% | -5.0% |
| 2012 | 5.6% | -4.5% |
| 2013 | 5.3% | -4.1% |
| 2014 | 5.2% | -1.8% |
| 2015 | 5.5% | +5.1% |
| 2016 | 5.8% | +4.9% |
| 2017 | 6.1% | +4.9% |
| 2018 | 6.0% | -1.1% |
| 2019 | 6.0% | +0.5% |
| 2020 | 5.9% | -2.3% |
| 2021 | 6.0% | +1.6% |
| 2022 | 5.8% | -3.3% |
| 2023 | 5.3% | -7.3% |
| 2024 | 5.1% | -4.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 8.5% | 6.5% | 10.4% | 9 |
| 2010s | 5.7% | 5.2% | 6.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.6% | 5.1% | 6.0% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Latin America & Caribbean
More health data for Latin America & Caribbean
- Population ages 30-34, male, per capita 0.0387 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 40-44, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 40-44, female, annual growth rate 1.16 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 35-39, male, per capita 0.0369 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 35-39, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 35-39, male, annual growth rate 0.903 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 35-39, female, per capita 0.0377 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 35-39, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 35-39, female, annual growth rate 0.6674 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 25-29, male, per capita 0.0399 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence of undernourishment in Latin America & Caribbean?
- Prevalence of undernourishment in Latin America & Caribbean was 5.1% in 2024, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
- What is the highest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in Latin America & Caribbean?
- The highest recorded value was 10.4% in 2001.
- What is the lowest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in Latin America & Caribbean?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.1% in 2024.
- How does Latin America & Caribbean rank for prevalence of undernourishment?
- Latin America & Caribbean ranks 32nd out of 47 groups with data for 2024.
- Is prevalence of undernourishment rising or falling in Latin America & Caribbean?
- Over the last ten years it is down 2.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Latin America & Caribbean data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), published as part of Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Prevalence of undernourishment is the percentage of the population whose habitual food consumption is insufficient to provide the dietary energy levels that are required to maintain a normal active and healthy life. Data showing as 2.5 may signify a prevalence of undernourishment below 2.5%.