Dominican Republic achieves 'zero hunger' as regional progress continues

Latin America and the Caribbean have seen a notable decline in hunger for the fifth year running, according to a report by United Nations agencies. Despite the significant challenges faced by the region, particularly in the wake of the pandemic, improvements in social programs and economic recovery have contributed to a reduction in food insecurity.

The report, "The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2026," indicates that hunger, defined as chronic undernourishment or insufficient calorie intake over at least a year, has decreased by 4.8% in the region over the past five years. This improvement leaves just over 30 million people still experiencing hunger.

Remarkably, the Dominican Republic has become the latest nation in the region to achieve "zero hunger," a statistical benchmark set by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) when less than 2.5% of the population is affected. It joins five other countries that have reached this milestone: Brazil (2012), Costa Rica (2013), Uruguay (2015), Chile (2021), and Guyana (2021).

According to Máximo Torero, chief economist at the FAO, the success of these nations reveals a consistent pattern: hunger diminishes when agricultural, economic, and social policies are mutually reinforcing. He highlights the importance of integrating well-targeted social protection plans for vulnerable groups with robust agricultural development projects. The challenge, experts suggest, lies not in inventing new strategies but in the consistent, long-term implementation of anti-hunger programs by governments, with Brazil serving as a prime example of a nation that has successfully navigated and recovered from periods of increased undernourishment.