Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Colombia
Colombia: Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished was 5 percent in 2023. ▲ Rising
Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Colombia, 2015–2023
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in percent.
Analysis
Colombia recorded 5 percent for share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in 2023.
That represents a change of down 5.7% on the previous year and up 2.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Colombia peaked at 5.3 percent in 2021 and was at its lowest, 4.5 percent, in 2017.
Colombia ranks 61st of 125 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Colombia, year by year
| Year | percent | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 4.9 percent | — |
| 2016 | 4.7 percent | -4.1% |
| 2017 | 4.5 percent | -4.3% |
| 2018 | 4.6 percent | +2.2% |
| 2019 | 4.7 percent | +2.2% |
| 2020 | 5 percent | +6.4% |
| 2021 | 5.3 percent | +6.0% |
| 2022 | 5.3 percent | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 5 percent | -5.7% |
Colombia compared with similar countries
- Colombia's 5 percent is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 5 percent, 1.0× the median. (39 countries reporting)
- Colombia's 5 percent is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 11.9 percent, 42% of the median. (17 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 4.68 percent | 4.5 percent | 4.9 percent | 5 |
| 2020s | 5.15 percent | 5 percent | 5.3 percent | 4 |
Countries ranked near Colombia
More reference data data for Colombia
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 2.92 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 11.17 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 19.02 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.4113 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 19.02 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 9.81 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 2.67 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 61.25 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 94.56 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 2.24 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Colombia?
- Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Colombia was 5 percent in 2023, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished recorded in Colombia?
- The highest recorded value was 5.3 percent in 2021.
- What is the lowest share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished recorded in Colombia?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.5 percent in 2017.
- How does Colombia rank for share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished?
- Colombia ranks 61st out of 125 countries with data for 2023.
- Is share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished rising or falling in Colombia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Colombia data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Both metrics indicate that someone does not get enough food (in terms of calories) to eat: these metrics should be strongly correlated. Severe food insecurity is measured based on food security questionnaires among households. Undernourishment is based on estimates of actual calorie intake across the population.