The number of people facing hunger and food insecurity has been on the rise since 2015, with the pandemic, conflict, climate change and growing inequalities exacerbating the situation. In 2015, 589 million people were experiencing hunger, and by 2021, that number had risen to 768 million. Projections show that, by 2030, approximately 670 million people will still be facing hunger – 8 per cent of the world’s population, the same as in 2015.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated an already deteriorating food security situation, with about 150 million more people facing hunger in 2021 than in 2019. In addition, nearly 1 in 3 (2.3 billion people) were moderately or severely food insecure in 2021.

Globally in 2022, an estimated 22.3 per cent of children under the age of 5 (148 million) were affected by stunting, down from 24.6 per cent in 2015. Overweight affected 37.0 million children under 5 (or 5.6 per cent) and wasting affected 45 million (or 6.8 per cent) in 2022. The global prevalence of overweight children has stagnated, and, if current trends continue, the 2030 target will be missed by 17.5 million children.

Over the years of independence, Uzbekistan has been able to achieve full food and grain independence, significantly increasing the production of grain and food products. In 2020, out of 107 countries in the world, Uzbekistan took 30th place in the global hunger index with 6.7 points and entered the group of countries with a low level of hunger. At the same time, all segments of the republic's population have access to a wide range of food products (grain, salt, eggs, potatoes, fruits and vegetables, melons and grapes) and fully meet household needs.

However, in Uzbekistan, the problem of micronutrient deficiency among the population, such as iodine, folic acid, iron, and vitamin A, is still relevant. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the prevalence of malnutrition in Uzbekistan in 2017-2019 was 2.6 percent. In 2020, Uzbekistan ranked 83rd out of 113 countries with an index of 50.9 in the ranking The Global Food Security Index

National Tasks

Target 2.1. By 2030, to provide quality and balanced nutrition to all segments of the population, including infants, as well as socially vulnerable segments of the population, achieving full year-round access to essential and safe food in the required volumes.

Target 2.2. By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under five years of age, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women, and older persons.

Target 2.3. By 2030, increase the average efficiency of agricultural food production, as well as the income of agricultural food producers.

Target 2.4. By 2030, implement agricultural management practices that create sustainable food production systems and increase the efficiency of agricultural production.

Target 2.5. Ensure the conservation of the genetic diversity of crop seeds, as well as livestock and related wildlife species, including their reserves.

Target 2.a. Strengthening agricultural infrastructure, conducting scientific research in agriculture, developing innovative technologies, investing in the creation of genetic resources of crops and livestock through the activation of international financial institutions and international cooperation in order to develop the productive potential of the agricultural sector.

Target 2.b. Eliminate and prevent trade restrictions and errors in global agricultural markets.

Target 2.c. Guaranteed provision of the population of the republic with basic types of food and agricultural products, systematic monitoring of the supply of products to the domestic consumer market, establishing control and taking measures to combat unreasonable price increases.

National indicators

5) According to FAO

6) MICS survey results

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