Food security improving globally

The United States Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service is one of the few organizations in the world that tracks global food security (the ability of nations to supply food for their populations). The ERS studies

According to the organization's most recent report, the number of food insecure nations is falling, as more countries are able to grow produce or import food as needed. The report found: "Between 2013 and 2014, ERS projects food insecurity for the 76 countries analyzed to improve. The number of food-insecure people is projected to fall 9 percent, from 539 million in 2013 to 490 million in 2014. The share of the population that is food insecure in these countries is expected to decrease from 15.5 percent in 2013 to 13.9 percent in 2014."

The report was not all positive, though. "Over the next decade, the number of food-insecure people in the 76 countries is projected to grow as the share of population that is food insecure moves from 13.9 percent in 2014 to 14.6 percent in 2024, primarily due to prospects for slow growth in supplies in a few countries."

 To view a summary of the report, click here. For more information on the ERS, click here.