Northern Africa vs South Africa: Number of undernourished people (millions)
Northern Africa
27 num m
in 2025
South Africa
7.2 num m
in 2024
Northern Africa rank
19th
South Africa rank
22nd
Number of undernourished people (millions) over time
- Northern Africa
- South Africa
How they compare
Northern Africa currently reports 27 num m against 7.2 num m in South Africa, a difference of 19.8 num m.
That makes Northern Africa's figure about 3.8 times South Africa's.
Across all 24 years both countries report, Northern Africa has been ahead every year.
Northern Africa ranks 19th and South Africa ranks 22nd of 28 groups.
Northern Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Northern Africa | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 12.38 num m | 1.7 num m | 10.68 num m | Northern Africa |
| 2010s | 13.43 num m | 3.09 num m | 10.34 num m | Northern Africa |
| 2020s | 22.3 num m | 6.26 num m | 16.04 num m | Northern Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher number of undernourished people, Northern Africa or South Africa?
- Northern Africa, at 27 num m against 7.2 num m in South Africa as of 2025.
- What is the difference in number of undernourished people between Northern Africa and South Africa?
- 19.8 num m, with Northern Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Northern Africa and South Africa?
- 24 years are reported by both, from 2001 to 2024.
- How do Northern Africa and South Africa rank globally for number of undernourished people?
- Northern Africa ranks 19th and South Africa ranks 22nd of 28 groups.
- Where does this data come from?
- United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as Number of undernourished people (millions). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.