The United Nations has revealed that the cost of maintaining a healthy diet has increased by 25% over the past five years, leaving nearly 2.69 billion people—about one in every three globally—unable to afford nutritious meals.
According to the 2026 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), a healthy diet now costs an average of $4.28 per person per day in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.
FAO Chief Economist Máximo Torero Cullen said the challenge is no longer producing enough food, but making nutrient-rich foods more affordable. He urged governments to invest in local food production, infrastructure and logistics, while redirecting agricultural subsidies toward more nutritious foods instead of mainly cereals.
The report notes that animal products account for nearly 30% of the cost of a healthy diet, while fruits and vegetables make up 16%, and staple foods such as grains and beans account for 13%.
The FAO also warned that potential disruptions to global fertilizer supplies and the expected peak of a strong El Niño weather pattern later in 2026 could place further pressure on global food prices.
