POVERTY

Poverty causes hunger

Worldwide, 648 million people live in extreme poverty. They survive on less than $2.15 a day, an impossible amount to sustain a healthy livelihood anywhere in the world.

Without sufficient and sustainable income, families cannot afford access to nutritious food, clean water or health care. As a result, one in three children in low- and middle-income countries suffers from chronic malnutrition. Left untreated, starvation can lead to stunted growth, limited mental and emotional development and even death.

Last year, Action Against Hunger helped 28 million people gain access to sustainable sources of income, clean water, nutritious food and healthcare, but much more needs to be done to end poverty and hunger for all, forever.

KEY FACTS ABOUT WORLD POVERTY AND HUNGER

5

Half of the world's poorest
people live in five countries:
Bangladesh, Democratic Republic
of Congo, Ethiopia,
India and Nigeria.

2/3

Average share of income
spent on food in poor countries
compared to 25%
in rich countries.

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356

millions of children
live in extreme poverty
around the world.

THE RISING COST OF A HEALTHY DIET

More than 3 billion people in the world cannot afford the average cost of a healthy and affordable diet. In both rich and poor countries, insufficient income to meet the rising cost of nutritious food can have serious repercussions. Consumption of low-quality food can lead to malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and other health problems.

WHERE WE WORK

What causes hunger?

Hunger is predictable, preventable and treatable. But to end hunger, we must first understand and address the problems that perpetuate the global hunger crisis.