World Vision Report Highlights Global Disparities in Food Affordability

SEATTLE — Rising food costs are forcing families globally to reduce their food intake, choose less nutritious options, or take on debt, according to the fifth annual Price Shocks report released by humanitarian organization World Vision on October 15, 2026.

The report analyzed the purchasing power of families across 62 countries by measuring the cost of basic food supplies against average wages. The study, released ahead of World Food Day, tracked the local market prices of 10 common items, including bananas, rice, flour, sugar, corn, eggs, cooking oil, chicken, tomatoes, and milk.

According to the findings, significant disparities exist between high-income nations and developing or crisis-affected regions. World Vision reported that while an average worker in the United States earns enough to buy a basic basket of nutritious food in about one hour of work, workers in Ukraine must work more than 12 hours for equivalent staple items. In Sudan, an adult must work for 19 days to afford the same basic basket.

World Vision stated that an estimated 35.5 million children worldwide suffered from acute malnutrition in 2025, with nearly 10 million experiencing severe acute malnutrition. The organization warned that inadequate nutrition severely impairs physical and cognitive development, weakens immune systems, and increases mortality risks among children.

Margaret Schuler, senior vice president of international programs at World Vision, noted that factors such as conflict, displacement, economic instability, and extreme weather exacerbate these pressures, forcing families to make critical choices such as skipping meals.

In response to the findings, the organization has called on governments, donors, businesses, and international institutions to expand school meal programs, invest in resilient local food systems, address drivers such as conflict and extreme weather, and ensure food assistance for displaced and conflict-affected populations.

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