Describe the overall pattern of global malnourishment?

The chart shows the total number of individuals across the world who are defined as undernourished.

Globally we see a falling - although variable - trend over the last few decades. The total number of undernourished has been steadily falling. However, over the last few years, the total number increased by around 40 million, reaching 821 million in 2017.

The UN FAO have linked this increase in undernourishment in particular to the rising extent of conflict-affected countries (which is often a leading cause of famine), and compounded by climate-related factors such as the El Niño phenomenon (which can inflict both drought and flood conditions).3,4

Global number of people who are undernourished

Total number of people who are defined as undernourished. An individual is considered to be undernourished when

dietary energy consumption is less than a pre-determined threshold. This threshold is country specific and is measured

in terms of the number of kilocalories required to conduct sedentary or light activities.

1991

1995

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

0

200 million

400 million

600 million

800 million

1 billion

World

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