Food insecurity in Southern Africa in 2023 — 25.2%. Since 2018, the indicator has risen by 3.9 pp.
2018–2023 · % of population
How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Southern Africa
| Year | % | Change, pp |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 25.2 | +0.6 pp |
| 2022 | 24.5 | +0.7 pp |
| 2021 | 23.8 | +0.3 pp |
| 2020 | 23.6 | +1.5 pp |
| 2019 | 22.1 | +0.8 pp |
| 2018 | 21.3 | — |
The share of the population that experienced moderate or severe food insecurity, on the FIES scale of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The indicator is built not on calories but on a survey: people are asked whether over the past year they had to eat less, skip meals or go without food for a whole day because of a lack of money. That is why it catches what undernourishment by calories misses — episodic shortage in countries where the average diet is sufficient.
Important: The moderate and severe forms together, so the values are substantially higher than those of the undernourishment indicator. Based on a survey rather than on a food balance sheet — this is an independent measurement, not a refinement.
Source: FAOSTAT (FAO), license CC BY 4.0.
The share of the population whose calorie intake is below the minimum requirement.
Trade Food imports (% of merchandise imports)What part of merchandise imports a country spends on food — a measure of food dependence.
Nutrition Stunting in childrenThe share of children under five whose height is markedly below the norm for their age.
Nutrition Wasting in childrenThe share of children under five whose weight is markedly below the norm for their height.