How many Americans are starving?

Around 47 million people in the U.S., including 13-14 million children, face food insecurity (lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life) as of 2023 data, with a significant portion experiencing severe hunger where they skip meals due to cost. This means about 1 in 8 households struggles for sufficient food, a rate that increased in 2023 compared to 2022, impacting millions across all communities, especially Black and Latinx households, seniors, and veterans.

What percent of the US population is starving?

Hunger Quick Facts for 2023

Overall: About one in 7 households (13.5 percent) experienced food insecurity, or lack of access to an affordable, nutritious diet. An estimated 47.4 million Americans lived in these households.

What country has the most starvation?

According to the latest reports (late 2025/early 2026), Somalia is often cited as the hungriest country, leading the Global Hunger Index with high scores due to conflict, economic issues, and climate crises, closely followed by nations like South Sudan, the DR Congo, Madagascar, and Haiti, all facing severe food insecurity. Sudan is also experiencing one of the world's worst hunger crises, driven by conflict and instability.
 

What state is #1 in food insecurity?

The Household Pulse Survey has been issued in phases since April 2020, first weekly and then on a biweekly basis. The elevated rates of food insufficiency were more pronounced across the American South, where Mississippi (22.6%), Oklahoma (19.4%), Tennessee (17.5%) and Georgia (16.7%) had the highest recent rates.

Is America facing a food shortage?

But even without the shutdown, people not having access to enough nutritious food is a countrywide problem; 13.5% of households were food insecure in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Hidden Hunger Crisis | 9 Million American Children Starving in Silence

Are Americans struggling to buy groceries?

Americans are struggling to afford food at alarming rates, with nearly two-thirds switching to cheaper groceries or buying less food altogether in the past year. Under Trump, families are facing higher prices on everything from utility bills to holiday meals.

What foods are going to be in short supply in 2025?

Fresh Produce & Agriculture – Higher Costs and Limited Fresh Produce. Imports at risk: Avocados, tomatoes, bell peppers, berries, beef, pork, dairy. Meat and dairy imports from Canada are also at risk, driving up costs. Supply chain risk: Price volatility and shortages in fresh produce, beef, and dairy products.

What is the #1 cause of food insecurity?

Poverty, unemployment and low wages lead to food insecurity. It's why Feeding America helps people experiencing food insecurity get the food and resources they need by increasing access to food in their communities. We also work locally and nationally to expand economic opportunities.

Is the U.S. self-sufficient in food?

Yes, the U.S. is largely food self-sufficient, producing surplus amounts of grains and meats, making it a major global exporter; however, it relies heavily on imports for specific items, especially fresh fruits, vegetables (like winter berries, melons from Mexico), and some tropical goods, leading to a growing trade deficit in produce, though it generally meets its needs for staples. 

What causes poverty in America?

Poverty in America stems from a mix of low wages, unemployment, lack of affordable housing/healthcare, and systemic issues like racism, alongside individual factors such as limited education or disabilities, creating a complex web where economic, social, and structural barriers trap people in cycles of hardship, often passed down generations.
 

Which country is struggling the most?

While several nations face severe challenges, Sudan and South Sudan consistently rank among the most struggling, with Sudan experiencing a top-tier humanitarian crisis due to devastating conflict and famine, and South Sudan suffering extreme poverty, ongoing war, and economic collapse. Other deeply struggling countries include Haiti, overwhelmed by gang violence, natural disasters, and food insecurity, and nations facing severe economic contraction like Equatorial Guinea, Venezuela, and potentially Argentina, alongside conflict zones like Yemen and Syria. 

Is a famine coming?

A staggering 318 million people face crisis levels of hunger or worse next year - more than double the figure recorded in 2019 - according to WFP's 2026 Global Outlook. Two simultaneous famines have been confirmed in parts of Gaza and Sudan – a devastating first this century.

Which countries cannot feed themselves?

They include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Algeria, Somalia, Lesotho, Haiti, and much of the Middle East. Some of these countries have resources they can trade for food; others do not.

What is the hungriest state in America?

These states have the highest percentages of American households who experienced hunger: Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Kentucky, South Carolina, West Virginia, Wyoming and Michigan.

What is the #1 cause of hunger on the planet?

Conflict. Conflict is the #1 driver of hunger in the world, and it's entirely preventable. It uproots families, destroys economies, ruins infrastructure and halts agricultural production.

Does America have more poverty than other countries?

The U.S. has far and away the highest rates of poverty in the developed world. In addition, the extent of U.S. income and wealth inequality also tends to be extreme when compared to other industrialized countries.

Can the U.S. survive on its own oil?

Oil Reserves in the United States

the United States has proven reserves equivalent to 4.9 times its annual consumption levels. This means that, without imports, there would be about 5 years of oil left (at current consumption levels and excluding unproven reserves).

Who produces 70% of the world's food?

“With over 70% of the world's food production reliant on family farmers, this type of farming represents the vast majority of agriculture worldwide, both in developed and developing countries.

Is the U.S. in a food crisis?

According to the USDA's 2023 report, the states with the highest levels of food insecurity were in the South: Arkansas (18.9 percent), Louisiana (16.2 percent), Texas (16.9 percent), and Oklahoma (15.4 percent). As many as 25 percent of military families were also food insecure—almost double the civilian rate.

Why hasn't world hunger been solved?

World hunger persists not from a lack of food, but due to complex issues like conflict, which disrupts production and access; the climate crisis, causing disasters; deep economic inequalities and poverty; inefficient food systems with massive waste; and inadequate political will/funding, with corruption hindering aid distribution, making it a multifaceted challenge involving logistics, economics, and human behavior rather than just supply. 

How many people go to bed hungry?

As of late 2025, approximately 673 million people globally go to bed hungry every night, with many more facing food insecurity, though precise real-time figures vary slightly by source. This represents about 1 in 10 people worldwide, with hunger rates rising due to conflicts, climate change, and economic issues, impacting vulnerable populations like women and children most severely.
 

Is there enough food for everyone in the world?

Yes, the world produces enough food to feed everyone, but persistent hunger and food insecurity exist due to issues like poverty, conflict, waste, unequal distribution, and inefficient systems, not a lack of overall supply. The problem lies in access and logistics, with significant food loss occurring from farm to table, and conflict and poverty preventing people from obtaining food even when it's available. 

What to stockpile in case of WW3?

As well as keeping supplies of food and water, people have been advised to prepare a survival kit including things like torches, matches, radios, identification papers and phone chargers.

What is the 5 4 3 2 1 rule for groceries?

The 5-4-3-2-1 grocery method is a simple framework for balanced meal planning, guiding you to buy 5 vegetables, 4 fruits, 3 proteins, 2 grains/carbs, and 1 treat each shopping trip, plus staples like dairy/sauces, to ensure variety, control spending, and reduce food waste by focusing on whole foods for easy, nutritious meals. It simplifies lists, encourages nutrient diversity, and supports healthy habits without rigid meal prep. 

Will groceries ever be cheap again?

No, experts widely agree that grocery prices are unlikely to return to pre-2020 levels, but the rapid rate of increase is slowing, with forecasts predicting smaller (2-3%) annual hikes for the next couple of years, rather than sharp drops, as higher costs for labor, energy, and supply chains become the new normal. Expect continued gradual increases, with some items fluctuating, but a significant overall decrease in nominal (dollar) prices is improbable, according to USDA forecasts and food industry analysts.