Growth is not enough

In 2022, more than 735 million people in the world were hungry. That’s 1 in 11 people worldwide. Relative improvements after the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic are masking rapidly growing inequality. There are 84.2 million more women and girls than men and boys facing food insecurity. The gender food gap grew in many regions, including most of Africa, Southeast Asia, the Middle East North America, and Europe. CARE’s analysis of data across 113 countries suggests that improving GDP is not enough. The most recent data shows that in situations with high inequality, economic growth can lead to higher food insecurity, especially since COVID-19. In 57 countries, GDP is growing AND food insecurity is rising. As gender and income inequality rise, so does hunger.

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Growth is not enough (Technical Research – Download #1): This study examines how gender and economic inequality play a role in the global hunger crisis against socio-political, economic, and climate shocks. Very little empirical research focuses on national-level food security and its linkages with gender inequality, economic inequality, and significant macroeconomic factors like agricultural production and economic growth. This research explores these linkages and how the dynamics are changing during the pre- and post-pandemic periods.

Growth is not enough (Policy Paper – Download #2): This summarizes the findings from the technical report that economic growth is not enough to solve the global hunger crisis and draws from broader literature as to why and where this is happening. Through country case studies, it explores the challenges of the global hunger crisis and ways to solve it.

Growth is not enough (two-page summary – Download #3): This two-pager summarises the research above.

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