Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in United States
United States: Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished was 1 percent in 2023. ▼ Falling
Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in United States, 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 States recorded 1 percent for share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 25.0% on the previous year and down 9.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in United States peaked at 1.1 percent in 2015 and was at its lowest, 0.7 percent, in 2020.
United States ranks 113th of 125 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 0.92 percent | 0.8 percent | 1.1 percent | 5 |
| 2020s | 0.8 percent | 0.7 percent | 1 percent | 4 |
Countries ranked near United States
More reference data data for United States
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- Summer temperature anomalies 0.5014 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.0594 °C (2026)
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- Autumn temperature anomalies 0.8696 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 0.9189 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 143.86 2010 = 100 (2024)
- 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 States?
- Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in United States was 1 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 States?
- The highest recorded value was 1.1 percent in 2015.
- What is the lowest share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.7 percent in 2020.
- How does United States rank for share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished?
- United States ranks 113th 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 States?
- Over the last ten years it is down 9.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this United States 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.