Global cost of a healthy diet rises 25 percent in five years, FAO says
FAO finds global cost of a healthy diet rose 25% in five years; 2.69 billion people cannot afford it as food prices push average cost to $4.28 per day.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization reports the cost of a healthy diet climbed 25 percent over the past five years, pushing the average global price to $4.28 per person per day.
The FAO estimate appears in the 2026 edition of its State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report and underscores widening affordability gaps for nutritious food.
According to FAO chief economist Máximo Torero, approximately 2.69 billion people, or about one in three worldwide, remain unable to afford the cost of a healthy diet.
FAO figures show scale of affordability crisis
The FAO report quantifies how rising food prices have outpaced incomes in many regions, making nutrient-rich foods less accessible for large populations.
The average cost of a healthy diet now reflects higher prices for animal source foods, fruits and vegetables, with staples accounting for a smaller share of total cost.
The report frames the crisis as one of economic access to nutrition rather than simply of calorie availability.
Breakdown of diet cost by food group
FAO data indicate staples such as grains and legumes make up roughly 13 percent of the overall cost of a healthy diet.
Animal source foods are responsible for about 30 percent of the cost, while fruits and vegetables contribute approximately 16 percent.
This composition helps explain why diets that meet nutrient needs remain out of reach for millions even where calories are sufficient.
Two point six nine billion people cannot afford healthy diets
The report’s headline figure of 2.69 billion people unable to afford a healthy diet reflects disparities between regions and within countries.
Low income households in urban and rural settings face different price and availability pressures, yet both groups are affected by the same upward price trends.
FAO officials stressed that these numbers offer a snapshot of affordability and signal persistent risks to global nutrition targets.
Affordability, not production, identified as central challenge
Máximo Torero emphasized that the world produces enough calories but fails to make nutrient rich food affordable at scale.
Higher prices for nutrient dense items and supply chain costs are cited as key drivers that prevent more balanced diets from becoming the norm.
The report calls for policy measures that lower the cost of nutritious foods and strengthen purchasing power among vulnerable populations.
Local production and policy measures proposed to reduce costs
FAO analysis suggests that boosting local production of fruits, vegetables and other nutrient dense foods could significantly lower consumer prices.
Investments in agricultural value chains, better storage and reduced transport costs are highlighted as practical steps that governments and private actors can pursue.
The report also recommends social protection and targeted subsidies to help households meet dietary needs while broader reforms take hold.
Implications for UAE and regional food security
Although the FAO report is global, its findings are relevant to Gulf states that rely on imports for much of their food supply and invest heavily in food system resilience.
Policymakers in the UAE and neighbouring countries may look to the FAO’s recommendations on local production, storage and market access to shield consumers from price shocks.
Expanding domestic and regional supply of perishable nutrient dense items could contribute to improved affordability for residents across income levels.
The FAO’s 2026 assessment frames the challenge as solvable but urgent, requiring coordinated action across agriculture, trade and social policy.
Reducing the cost of a healthy diet will depend on measures that raise productivity and shrink logistical costs while protecting incomes for the poorest.
International agencies, national governments and private sector partners will need to align strategies if the goal of affordable nutrition for all is to be achieved in the coming decade.