Exploring the reality of global food insecurity and policy gaps

Although global food security (SDG2: Zero Hunger) remains a critical challenge, few studies have systematically examined how policy inefficiencies and institutional responses contribute to food insecurity outcomes. This study addresses this gap by analyzing data from 120 countries (2000–2022) via a multicriteria decision analysis framework that integrates data envelopment analysis and quadrant analysis, guided by the pressure–state–response–impact (PSRI) framework. The findings reveal critical regional differences: North America, East Asia, and Europe achieve high food security outcomes, whereas Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia continue to face severe deficits across all dimensions. South America has demonstrated progress in availability and utilization, but struggles with access. A key issue identified is the persistent gap between policy design and implementation. High-income regions achieve strong outcomes due to effective execution, whereas low-income regions experience suboptimal results despite having formal policy frameworks. Furthermore, the multidimensional nature of food insecurity complicates problem-solving, as improvements in one area often fail to address deficiencies in others. Limited market support and weak institutions further exacerbate food insecurity in low-income regions, hindering strategy effectiveness. The study emphasizes the need to bridge the divide between policy formulation and execution, tailor strategies to specific regional contexts, and address systemic weaknesses across all dimensions of food security. These findings offer critical insights into global food security dynamics and inform more effective, equity-oriented approaches to achieving the goal of Zero Hunger.