Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished was 3.3 percent in 2023. ▲ Rising
Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in United Kingdom, 2015–2023
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in percent.
Analysis
United Kingdom recorded 3.3 percent for share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in 2023. That is the highest value across all 9 years on record.
That represents a change of up 32.0% on the previous year and up 73.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in United Kingdom peaked at 3.3 percent in 2023 and was at its lowest, 0.7 percent, in 2019.
That places United Kingdom 75th out of 125 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 1.54 percent | 0.7 percent | 2.1 percent | 5 |
| 2020s | 2.12 percent | 1.1 percent | 3.3 percent | 4 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More reference data data for United Kingdom
- Spring temperature anomalies 1.37 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 2.09 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month -0.4402 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies -0.1504 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 1.74 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 153.13 2010 = 100 (2025)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in United Kingdom?
- Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in United Kingdom was 3.3 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 United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 3.3 percent in 2023.
- What is the lowest share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.7 percent in 2019.
- How does United Kingdom rank for share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished?
- United Kingdom ranks 75th out of 125 countries with data for 2023.
- Is share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is up 73.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this United Kingdom 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.
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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.