• Despite the international efforts, the world hunger has been on the rise for the past three years. The absolute number of undernourished people (those facing chronic food deprivation), has increased to nearly 821 million in 2017, from around 804 million in 2016. The rates of other forms of malnutrition such as nutrient deficiency and obesity are also alarmingly high (some 2 billion peoaple suffer micronutrient deficiencies.) 
  | Related Megatrends: Inequalities; Consumerism; Health
• Malnutrition will affect over 50% of the global population by 2030, unless urgent action is taken to improve access to high-quality food. | Related Megatrends: Inequalities; Health
• In 2017, some 124 million people across 51 countries and territories faced “crisis” levels of acute food insecurity or worse -- an increase compared to 80 and 108 million people in 2015 and 2016, respectively. 
  | Related Megatrends: Health; Natural resources; Climate and environment
• Every year some 8 million people die of hunger – over 20,000 a day. The growing population and the increasing scarcity of water and agricultural land make feeding the world one of the biggest challenges of the future. Yet, agricultural protectionism prevents the introduction of a truly sustainable global food supply system. 
  | Related Megatrends: Inequalities; Consumerism; Health; Demography; Climate and environment
• Demand for food and water will grow substantially over the next decades. FAO estimates that by 2050, the need for food could increase by 50% compared to 2013 and that for water by some 40%, given the increase in the global population to over 9 billion.
• By 2050, consumption of meat and dairy is expected to rise by 76% and 65% respectively, compared with 40% for cereal.
• Globally, 76% of the population derives most of their daily protein from plants. If CO2 levels continue to rise as projected, researchers estimate that roughly an additional 150 million people may be placed at risk of protein deficiency because of elevated levels of CO2 in the atmosphere. | Related Megatrends: Climate and environment; Health
• More than 80% of growth in global demand for field crops, fibre and beverage crops, meat and forest products by 2030 will occur in the developing world. | Related Megatrends:  Geopower; Consumerism
• An estimated 88 million tonnes of food is wasted in the EU per year  – some 173 kilograms per person. Households and processing account for 72 % of it. | Related Megatrends: Inequalities; Climate and environment; Consumerism

More on this Megatrend