The Global Child Hunger Crisis
Millions of children around the world do not have enough nutritious food to grow, learn and stay healthy. Hunger and malnutrition can be prevented and treated.
Conflict, climate extremes, rising food costs and cuts to humanitarian assistance are driving hunger in communities around the world. Children are especially vulnerable: without enough nutritious food, hunger can affect children’s health, development, education and ability to thrive.
150+ Million
Children under age 5 are affected by stunting
42.8 Million
Children under age 5 are affected by acute malnutrition
1 in 4
Young children worldwide lives in severe food poverty
How Does Hunger Affect Children?
Health
Malnutrition weakens children's immune systems.
Growth
Long-term undernutrition can affect physical development.
Learning
Hunger can make it harder to concentrate and learn.
Protection
Food crises can increase risks for vulnerable children.
Our Response to the Global Hunger Crisis
Through working with local communities and governments, our response to world hunger is tackling acute and chronic food security needs. Last year, we supported over 35 million children with hunger-related interventions.
750,557 children across nine hunger-affected countries received treatment for acute malnutrition
608,104 pregnant and lactating women and caregivers were counselled on infant and young child feeding
943,560 children and their families were supported to protect their livelihoods, especially those affected by climate change
21,567 community health workers and healthcare providers were trained
1,385,222 children and households were supported with cash and voucher assistance
An icon of a mother and child holding hands.
1,170,975 children and adults in 1,756 communities were supported through culturally appropriate social behavior change initiatives
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Hunger
Conflict, climate change and economic cost are fueling hunger
As the climate crisis deepens, conflict escalates and the cost of living spirals out of control, children face the ever-growing threat of hunger.
A wave of floods, drought, storms and wildfires – driven by climate change – is devastating crops and livelihoods, leaving children without enough to eat.
A rising tide of conflict – from Ukraine to Mali – is forcing families from their homes, destroying farmland and creating tens of millions of refugees who struggle to get the food they need.
Economic turmoil has driven up prices, creating a cost-of-living crisis across the world –pushing the price of food beyond the reach of many families.
This triple threat is feeding hunger, and it is children – especially girls – who are worst hit.
Hunger negatively impacts a child's physical and cognitive development
Kids can't be hungry for knowledge if they are hungry for food.
Hungry children are more likely to have lower math scores, repeat a grade, come to school late, or miss school entirely.
Hunger not only threatens children’s survival, it hurts a child’s whole world
Without enough food or the right nutrition, children can’t learn, play, or sleep.
While they should be exploring with their friends, or expanding their minds in class, instead too many are worrying about where their next meal will come from, or if their younger sibling will recover from malnutrition.
In rural America, 1 in 5 children are food insecure
It is estimated that 1 in 8 children in America were food insecure in 2021, which means they lacked consistent access to enough food for a healthy, active life.
In rural America, that number jumps to 1 in 5 children. Child hunger is worse in rural
90% of counties with the highest child food insecurity rates are rural.
In food crises, children are always the most vulnerable
Without enough to eat and the right nutritional balance, children are at high risk of becoming acutely malnourished.
Up to 45 million children are facing acute malnutrition worldwide right now, with at least 13.7 million children severely acutely malnourished.
Around 80% of these children currently are not able to access the treatment they need to get better.
Advocate for Children Experiencing Hunger
Millions of children in East Africa are already facing food insecurity. Now, severe weather shocks are making the situation more extreme. Join Save the Children's political advocacy arm — Save the Children Action Network — and send an URGENT message to Congress: Demand a New Global Food Security Strategy.
Together, We Can Break the Cycle of Poverty and Feed Children’s Futures
Many families live trapped in a cycle of extreme poverty. Undernourished mothers are more likely to have undernourished children, the effects of which are devastating. But when families and children eat well, they are better equipped to pull themselves out of the cycle of poverty.
Hunger is not a lost cause. Globally, the number of people in famine-like conditions has almost halved. Together, we can act now to break the poverty cycle and feed children’s futures. Your donation today can help children fight for their childhoods.
