Prevalence of undernourishment in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa: Prevalence of undernourishment was 21.9% in 2023. ▼ Falling
Prevalence of undernourishment in Sub-Saharan Africa, 2001–2023
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Measured in % of population.
Analysis
The most recent figure for prevalence of undernourishment in Sub-Saharan Africa is 21.9%, measured in 2023.
The figure is up 1.3% on the previous year and up 23.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence of undernourishment in Sub-Saharan Africa peaked at 25.3% in 2001 and was at its lowest, 17.7%, in 2013.
Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 6th of 47 groups on this measure, in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 23 years of available data.
Prevalence of undernourishment in Sub-Saharan Africa, year by year
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 25.3% | — |
| 2002 | 24.8% | -2.2% |
| 2003 | 24.2% | -2.4% |
| 2004 | 23.2% | -3.8% |
| 2005 | 22.1% | -4.8% |
| 2006 | 21.0% | -5.0% |
| 2007 | 20.2% | -3.8% |
| 2008 | 19.5% | -3.8% |
| 2009 | 18.8% | -3.1% |
| 2010 | 18.4% | -2.3% |
| 2011 | 18.2% | -0.9% |
| 2012 | 18.2% | -0.3% |
| 2013 | 17.7% | -2.7% |
| 2014 | 17.7% | +0.3% |
| 2015 | 18.1% | +2.2% |
| 2016 | 18.4% | +1.7% |
| 2017 | 18.7% | +1.4% |
| 2018 | 18.9% | +1.1% |
| 2019 | 19.6% | +4.1% |
| 2020 | 20.4% | +4.0% |
| 2021 | 20.9% | +2.1% |
| 2022 | 21.6% | +3.6% |
| 2023 | 21.9% | +1.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 22.1% | 18.8% | 25.3% | 9 |
| 2010s | 18.4% | 17.7% | 19.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 21.2% | 20.4% | 21.9% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Sub-Saharan Africa
- 3 Korea, Democratic People's Republic of 47.0% compare
- 4 Madagascar 39.5% compare
- 5 Syrian Arab Republic 39.0% compare
- 6 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 38.5% compare
- 7 Zambia 37.2% compare
- 8 Kenya 36.8% compare
- 9 Liberia 35.5% compare
More health data for Sub-Saharan Africa
- Population ages 65 and above, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population, female, per unit of GDP 0.0003 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 65-69, female, annual growth rate 3.61 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population, female, annual growth rate 2.45 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 65 and above, total, per capita 0.0323 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 65 and above, total, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 65-69, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 65 and above, total, annual growth rate 3.67 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 65 and above, male, per capita 0.0142 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 15-64, total, per capita 0.5639 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence of undernourishment in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Prevalence of undernourishment in Sub-Saharan Africa was 21.9% in 2023, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
- What is the highest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 25.3% in 2001.
- What is the lowest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 17.7% in 2013.
- How does Sub-Saharan Africa rank for prevalence of undernourishment?
- Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 6th out of 47 groups with data for 2023.
- Is prevalence of undernourishment rising or falling in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 23.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Sub-Saharan Africa 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%.