List of Countries with the Worst Food Crises: Congo Ranks First

The 2021 Global Overview of Food Crises report states that the Republic of Congo had the worst food crisis emergency in 2020. 5.7 million people, or 9% of the population, experienced a food crisis emergency.

Afghanistan was second, with 4.3 million people, or 14% of the total population, experiencing a food crisis emergency. Yemen was third, with 3.6 million people, or 12% of the total population, experiencing a food crisis emergency. 16,500 people in Yemen were even in the famine phase of a food crisis.

Sudan was fourth, with 2.2 million people, or 5% of the total population, experiencing a food crisis emergency. South Sudan followed with 1.7 million people, or 15% of the total population.

Here are the details of the eight countries with the highest number of people experiencing food crisis emergencies:

1. Republic of Congo: 5.7 million people
2. Afghanistan: 4.3 million people
3. Yemen: 3.6 million people
4. Sudan: 2.2 million people
5. South Sudan: 1.7 million people
6. Ethiopia: 1.4 million people
7. Haiti: 1.2 million people
8. Zimbabwe: 1 million people

Food crisis emergencies are characterized, among other things, by a large disparity in food consumption among the population. Other indicators include a very high number of people suffering from acute malnutrition and a high mortality rate due to malnutrition.

Ongoing conflicts creating political and economic instability are the causes of global food crises. Food crises are also caused by economic shocks resulting from the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic and extreme weather that destroys homes, farmland, and livestock.