A new Global Hunger report has painted a grim picture for Liberia, ranking the country 120th out of 127 nations with a hunger score of 31.9, a level classified as “serious.”
Within West Africa, only Niger fares worse, making Liberia the second hungriest country in the region.
According to the findings, 38.4% of Liberians are undernourished, highlighting the depth of the crisis. Children remain the most vulnerable, with the following indicators underscoring the challenge:
Undernourishment: Nearly 4 in 10 people lack sufficient daily food intake.
Child stunting: 29.8% of children under five are too short for their age due to chronic malnutrition.
Child wasting: 3.4% of children are underweight for their height, showing acute undernutrition.
Child mortality: 7.3% of children die before turning five.
The Global Hunger Index (GHI) measures these indicators to track hunger and push governments toward urgent action. The data not only shows food shortages but also points to poor nutrition, inadequate healthcare, and unsafe living conditions that worsen the crisis.
Spending vs. Hunger
While millions of Liberians face food insecurity, government spending patterns raise eyebrows. Figures from the 2024 Outturn Report and the 2025 National Budget reveal that:
US$5.6 million was allocated for food and catering in two fiscal years (2024–2025).
US$2.1 million went toward entertainment.
Together, these expenditures amount to more than US$7.8 million, funds largely benefiting government officials and VIPs.
The disclosure has sparked outrage among citizens and critics who question why such amounts are directed at privileges for a few while millions struggle to eat.
With almost 4 in 10 Liberians going to bed hungry and 1 in 3 children stunted, many are now calling for a shift in national priorities, one that places food security at the center of government action rather than at the margins.
