The US-based International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) recently published data highlighting the progress made by several African countries in the fight against hunger.
At the top of the list is Tunisia, with a remarkably low hunger index of 5.9, placing it 27th in the world out of the 125 countries surveyed. Algeria follows closely behind, ranking 33rd in the world with an index of 6.8, a significant improvement on its previous score of 8.5.
Morocco ranks 47th in the world, with a Hunger Index score of 9.0, down from 9.1.
The Hunger Index tracks changes in hunger around the world and assigns each country a score between 0 and 100, with 0 being the best and 100 the worst. Other African countries also show positive results, with moderate hunger indices ranging from 10 to 19.9.
Among these countries, Cape Verde ranks 55th in the world with a score of 12.7. This is a significant improvement on its previous score of 14.6. Egypt follows in 57th place with a Hunger Index score of 12.8, an improvement from 15.2.
Close behind is South Africa, ranked 58th in the world, with a Hunger Index score of 13, an improvement from 13.9.
Mauritius ranks 61st in the world with a hunger index of 13.6, an improvement from 13.5. Ghana follows closely behind in 62nd place with a hunger index of 13.7, an improvement from 15.7.
Senegal is ranked 69th in the world, with a hunger index of 15, an improvement from 18. Libya completes the top 10, ranking 72nd in the world with a hunger index of 16.1, down from 18.5.
These figures are calculated on the basis of four indicators: undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting and child mortality.
Despite progress in some countries, the 2023 report highlights that hunger remains at serious or alarming levels in 43 countries around the world, demonstrating that challenges remain to improve global food security.
