Half of the Caribbean Population Cannot Afford a Healthy Diet: FAO Report Raises Alarms

More than 2.6 billion people worldwide—almost one in every three—cannot afford a healthy diet, according to the most recent data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This staggering figure, updated as of September 2025, sheds light on the deep inequalities in food access and nutrition across the globe.

While Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa account for the majority of those unable to afford nutritious meals in absolute numbers, the Caribbean stands out for its disproportionately high share of affected people—over 50% of its population. This means that more than 22.5 million people in the Caribbean region are priced out of diets that meet the FAO’s standard of 2,330 kilocalories per day with adequate proportions of six essential food groups.

What Defines a Healthy Diet?

The FAO’s benchmark for a healthy diet includes daily intake of foods across six categories:

1. Starchy staples such as rice, cassava, potatoes, and bread.
2. Vegetables, which supply essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
3. Fruits, rich in micronutrients and antioxidants.
4. Animal-source foods like meat, dairy, fish, and eggs that provide protein and key minerals.
5. Legumes, nuts, and seeds, which are vital plant-based protein and fat sources.
6. Oils and fats, which supply energy and aid nutrient absorption.

By this definition, affordability is measured not simply by calories, but by nutritional adequacy—the ability to eat a diet that maintains health and reduces the risk of chronic diseases.

Global Breakdown: Where Diets Are Unaffordable

The FAO’s regional analysis shows that food affordability varies widely depending on both costs and income levels.

• Asia: 1.35 billion people (28% of the population).
• Sub-Saharan Africa: 896.5 million people (72% of the population).
• Latin America: 159.4 million people (26%).
• Northern Africa: 112.4 million people (41%).
• Europe: 39.4 million people (5%).
• Caribbean: 22.5 million people (50%).
• Northern America: 16.7 million people (4%).
• Oceania: 9 million people (20%).

Globally, 31.9% of the world’s population cannot meet the FAO standard. The problem is especially acute in regions with either high food costs or severe income inequality.

The Caribbean: A Distinct Challenge

Although the Caribbean’s numbers are smaller in absolute terms compared to Asia or Africa, its situation is particularly concerning:

• 50.1% of the Caribbean population cannot afford a healthy diet.
• This equates to 22.5 million people, or half of the region’s citizens.
• The average cost of a healthy diet in the Caribbean is $5.48 per person per day, the highest of any region globally.

The high daily cost highlights structural challenges such as reliance on food imports, small-scale production limits, and exposure to global price fluctuations. The Caribbean’s vulnerability to climate change—hurricanes, droughts, and flooding—further disrupts local food systems and pushes costs higher.

Comparing Costs Across Regions

The FAO data reveal sharp contrasts in the dollar cost per person per day of a healthy diet:

• Caribbean: $5.48 (highest globally).
• Latin America: $4.87.
• Northern Africa: $4.76.
• Asia: $4.43.
• Sub-Saharan Africa: $4.37.
• Europe: $4.03.
• Oceania: $3.86.
• Northern America: $3.85 (lowest globally).

These differences highlight why some regions with lower per-person costs (such as Sub-Saharan Africa) still experience higher levels of unaffordability: income levels and poverty rates remain the decisive factors. In the Caribbean, however, the problem is both high costs and limited purchasing power.

Why the Caribbean Is So Vulnerable

Several factors explain why the Caribbean is disproportionately affected:

1. Heavy Dependence on Food Imports

Most Caribbean nations import 60–80% of their food, making them acutely sensitive to global price volatility. When international grain or fuel prices rise, the Caribbean consumer feels the pinch almost immediately.

2. Small Domestic Agriculture Base

Limited arable land, fragmented farming, and low productivity constrain local food production. Farmers often lack access to modern technology, irrigation, and financing, which reduces competitiveness.

3. Climate and Natural Disasters

Hurricanes, droughts, and floods frequently devastate crops and disrupt supply chains, driving up costs. For example, a single hurricane can destroy both local harvests and critical infrastructure, triggering spikes in food prices.

4. Tourism-Driven Economies

Tourism, while vital to regional economies, can distort food demand. Hotels and restaurants often bid up prices for fresh produce and meats, leaving local consumers paying more for the same goods.

5. Rising Inflation and Currency Pressures

The global inflation surge of recent years has hit small economies especially hard. Caribbean countries with weaker currencies face imported inflation, making imported foods even less affordable.

The Human Cost: Malnutrition and Inequality

The inability to afford a healthy diet has serious public health consequences. In the Caribbean:

• Poor diets contribute to undernutrition in vulnerable groups, especially children.
• At the same time, the region struggles with obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes and hypertension, because cheaper foods are often calorie-dense but nutrient-poor.
• Inequality deepens as wealthier households can access fresh fruits, vegetables, and proteins, while poorer families rely on cheaper, less nutritious options.

This double burden of malnutrition—undernutrition and obesity coexisting—has become a defining health challenge for the Caribbean.

Regional Comparisons: Latin America vs. Caribbean

Though geographically close, Latin America and the Caribbean show stark differences:

• Latin America: 26% cannot afford a healthy diet.
• Caribbean: 50% cannot afford a healthy diet.
• Cost in Latin America: $4.87/day.
• Cost in Caribbean: $5.48/day.

This contrast underscores how the Caribbean’s structural constraints and smaller markets create higher vulnerability compared to its continental neighbors.

Policy Responses: What Can Be Done?

To address this crisis, Caribbean governments and regional institutions must consider multi-pronged solutions:

1. Boost Local Food Production

Investing in climate-smart agriculture, hydroponics, and technology-driven farming can help reduce dependence on imports.

2. Strengthen Regional Supply Chains

Greater cooperation among CARICOM states could pool resources, harmonize food safety standards, and create economies of scale for regional agriculture.

3. Support Vulnerable Households

Direct subsidies, cash transfers, or food voucher programs can help families afford healthier diets.

4. Invest in Nutrition Education

Public awareness campaigns can help shift consumption habits toward local, affordable, and nutritious foods.

5. Build Food Resilience Against Climate Shocks

Investments in infrastructure, disaster preparedness, and crop insurance are critical to minimizing disruptions from hurricanes and droughts.

A Global and Regional Imperative

The FAO’s data show that food affordability is a global crisis, but the Caribbean’s 50% figure is particularly alarming. With costs higher than any other region and structural vulnerabilities that magnify risks, the Caribbean faces a pressing challenge to safeguard nutrition and health.

Global partners, including the FAO, Caribbean Development Bank, and international donors, have a role to play. But ultimately, regional cooperation and national policy reforms will determine whether the Caribbean can turn the tide on food insecurity.

Conclusion

The FAO’s 2025 report is a stark reminder that access to a healthy diet remains out of reach for billions worldwide. In the Caribbean, where half of the population cannot afford such a diet, the crisis is both urgent and structural.

With food costs the highest globally at $5.48 per person per day, and more than 22.5 million people priced out of healthy eating, the region is at a crossroads. Policymakers, businesses, and civil society must act collectively to rebuild food systems, lower costs, and protect vulnerable populations.

The Caribbean’s struggle is not just about food—it is about health, resilience, and the future of entire societies. The choices made today will shape whether the region can overcome this challenge and build a healthier tomorrow.

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