The share of the population in Latin America and the Caribbean whose habitual food intake is insufficient to maintain an active and healthy life was estimated at 9.1 percent in 2020. This is the second-highest value of prevalence of undernourishment in the region, only after the one recorded in 2005. As the COVID-19 pandemic hit and caused severe economic hardships, it also impacted and influenced the three percentage points increase of the undernourishment prevalence. The subregion with the highest prevalence of undernourishment recorded that year was the Caribbean.
Prevalence of undernourishment in Latin America and the Caribbean between 2005 and 2020
Characteristic
Undernourishment prevalence
2020*
9.1%
2019
7.1%
2018
6.8%
2017
6.6%
2016
6.8%
2015
5.8%
2010
6.9%
2005
9.3%
0%2%4%6%8%10%12%
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* Forecast.
According to FAO, "the prevalence of undernourishment (PoU) is an estimate of the proportion of the population whose habitual food consumption is insufficient to provide the dietary energy levels that are required to maintain a normal active and healthy life".
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FAO, & IFAD, & WHO, & UNICEF, & World Food Programme. (July 12, 2021). Prevalence of undernourishment in Latin America and the Caribbean between 2005 and 2020 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1031202/undernourishment-prevalence-latin-america-caribbean/
FAO, und IFAD, und WHO, und UNICEF, und World Food Programme. "Prevalence of undernourishment in Latin America and the Caribbean between 2005 and 2020." Chart. July 12, 2021. Statista. Accessed March 14, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1031202/undernourishment-prevalence-latin-america-caribbean/
FAO, IFAD, WHO, UNICEF, World Food Programme. (2021). Prevalence of undernourishment in Latin America and the Caribbean between 2005 and 2020. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: March 14, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1031202/undernourishment-prevalence-latin-america-caribbean/
FAO, and IFAD, and WHO, and UNICEF, and World Food Programme. "Prevalence of Undernourishment in Latin America and The Caribbean between 2005 and 2020." Statista, Statista Inc., 12 Jul 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1031202/undernourishment-prevalence-latin-america-caribbean/
FAO & IFAD & WHO & UNICEF & World Food Programme, Prevalence of undernourishment in Latin America and the Caribbean between 2005 and 2020 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1031202/undernourishment-prevalence-latin-america-caribbean/ (last visited March 14, 2025)
Prevalence of undernourishment in Latin America and the Caribbean between 2005 and 2020 [Graph], FAO, & IFAD, & WHO, & UNICEF, & World Food Programme, July 12, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1031202/undernourishment-prevalence-latin-america-caribbean/
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