Hunger & Poverty Facts

1.02 billion people across the world are hungry. Hunger is the most extreme form of poverty, where individuals or families cannot afford to meet their most basic need for food

Every day, almost 16,000 children die from hunger-related causes - 1 child every 5 seconds.

In 2005, almost 1.4 billion people lived below the international poverty line, earning less than $1.25 per day.

Among this group of poor people, many have problems obtaining adequate, nutritious food for themselves and their families. As a result, 947 million people in the developing world are undernourished. They consume less than the minimum amount of calories essential for sound health and growth.

Undernourishment negatively affects people’s health, productivity, sense of hope and overall well-being. A lack of food can stunt growth, slow thinking, sap energy, hinder fetal development and contribute to mental retardation.

Economically, the constant securing of food consumes valuable time and energy of poor people, allowing less time for work and earning income.

Socially, the lack of food erodes relationships and feeds shame so that those most in need of support are often least able to call on it.

Countries in which a large portion of the population battles hunger daily are usually poor and often lack social safety nets such as soup kitchens, food stamps, and job training programs. When a family that lives in a poor country cannot grow enough food or earn enough money to buy food, there is nowhere to turn for help.