A new UN report reveals that a healthy diet is too expensive for 2.69 billion people globally, with one in three unable to afford nutritious food. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2026 report highlights an urgent need to address food affordability and the rising cost of a balanced diet.
Key Findings on Global Food Affordability
The report, compiled by five UN agencies including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), calculates that a healthy diet costs $4.28 purchasing power parity (PPP) per day — significantly above the extreme poverty line of $3 PPP. This gap leaves billions without access to diverse, nutrient-rich foods.
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Comparison of Diet Costs and Poverty Lines
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost of a healthy diet (per day) | $4.28 PPP |
| Extreme poverty line (per day) | $3.00 PPP |
| People unable to afford healthy diet | 2.69 billion |
Obesity Crisis Linked to Unaffordable Nutrition
While global hunger declined to 7.8% in 2025, down from 8.1% in 2024, adult obesity rose from 12.1% in 2012 to 16.2% in 2024. FAO chief economist Maximo Torero noted that government subsidies have focused on cereals and starches, providing calories but not dietary diversity, fueling obesity and related diseases like cancer and diabetes.
Urgent Policy Changes Needed
Torero called for investment in infrastructure, research, and more efficient supply chains to lower the cost of meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables. He emphasized that tackling the affordability of healthy diets is critical to reversing obesity trends and achieving zero hunger by 2030.
Key Takeaways
- One in three people globally cannot afford a healthy diet.
- The cost of a healthy diet ($4.28 PPP) exceeds the extreme poverty line ($3 PPP).
- Adult obesity has risen sharply, reaching 16.2% in 2024.
- Government policies must shift from subsidizing staples to promoting diverse, nutritious foods.
- Efficient supply chains and infrastructure investments are essential for affordability.
FAQ
Why is a healthy diet so expensive globally?
A healthy diet costs $4.28 PPP per day, significantly more than the extreme poverty line of $3 PPP. Government subsidies for cereals and starches keep staple foods cheap, but meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables remain costly due to supply chain inefficiencies and lack of investment.
What are the health consequences of unaffordable nutrition?
Limited access to diverse, nutrient-rich foods leads to rising obesity rates (16.2% of adults in 2024) and increased risks of cancer, diabetes, and other diet-related diseases. The UN report calls this an extremely urgent public health issue.
How can we make healthy diets more affordable?
The report recommends investing in agricultural infrastructure, research, and more efficient supply chains. Governments should shift subsidies from starchy staples to diverse food groups and implement policies that lower the cost of fruits, vegetables, and protein sources.
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