Hunger in Iran has been a significant national and international concern since the early 1900s. Long-term policy failures rooted in historical experiences have shaped the country’s food security challenges. Major famines during the World Wars created a lasting fear of hunger, which led political leaders after the 1979 Revolution to prioritize food self-sufficiency. To achieve this goal, the government introduced heavy subsidies, guaranteed crop prices and high tariffs on food imports to protect domestic agriculture. While these measures increased food production, they distorted markets and failed to keep pace with population growth. Iran continued to rely on imports for key staples such as wheat, rice and corn, leaving the country vulnerable to sanctions and inflation.

Roots of Hunger

According to the 2025 Global Hunger Index (GHI), Iran ranks 40th out of 123 countries, reflecting moderate hunger levels rather than extreme deprivation. Although the number of people experiencing hunger has declined, food security has become increasingly unstable. Western sanctions linked to Iran’s human rights record and nuclear program have worsened this deterioration by restricting food imports and driving unprecedented food inflation. At the same time, reduced rainfall has weakened agricultural production and intensified existing vulnerabilities.

The COVID-19 pandemic further reduced household incomes and increased unemployment, which limited access to affordable food. These economic pressures placed low-income families at particular risk and made it difficult for many households to obtain even basic nutrition.

Environmental mismanagement has also played a major role, particularly poor water governance. Agriculture consumes the majority of Iran’s water resources because the government heavily subsidizes water.

As a result, farmers have little incentive to conserve water and often rely on inefficient irrigation practices that drive excessive water consumption. These policies have pushed Iran into severe water stress and weakened the country’s ability to ensure stable and affordable food supplies.

Consequences of Hunger and Malnutrition

Rising food prices have made nutritious foods such as meat and dairy increasingly unaffordable. Iran’s Deputy Health Minister, Alireza Raisi, has reported that Iranians consume less than half of the recommended levels of meat and dairy.

Malnutrition does not only appear as undernourishment due to nutrient deficiencies; it also appears as abdominal obesity driven by reliance on starchy, low-quality foods. This dietary pattern has fueled rising obesity rates across Iran and increased the risk of cardiovascular disease and other life-threatening illnesses.

Addressing the Crisis

In present-day Iran, hunger involves more than empty plates. Poor-quality diets, declining health and rising rates of diet-related diseases all reflect the depth of the crisis. Hunger persists because existing systems fail to ensure that all Iranians can access nutritious food at affordable prices. Changing weather patterns, ineffective policies, international sanctions, prolonged drought and economic instability continue to intensify the problem.

Despite these challenges, international organizations and nonprofit groups continue to operate programs that address hunger and support vulnerable populations in Iran.

One of the most significant ongoing efforts in Iran comes from the World Food Programme (WFP), which has supported refugees in the country for decades. Iran hosts approximately 3.4 million refugees, many of whom face severe food insecurity. Through school feeding programs and direct food assistance, WFP reduces pressure on the Iranian government and its limited resources. These programs improve food access for refugees and promote integration into host communities through supporting livelihood and income-generating activities that strengthen economic independence among refugee populations.

Smaller-scale nonprofit organizations also play a critical role in addressing hunger at the community level. Moms Against Poverty, for example, has delivered approximately 2.6 million meals as of 2024 to thousands of Iranian children and families experiencing food insecurity.

Even though the hunger in Iran still requires attention, international organizations and nonprofit groups continue to push forward, working toward a future free from hunger.

– Ameena Khan

Ameena is based in Canberra, Australia, and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

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