The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a Middle Eastern country of 36.5 million people, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea. It is a desert country, with almost 81% agricultural land, but with 85% of the population urban. Saudi Arabia is an oil-based (since the 1930s), and is considered a high-income country. 

Hunger is Not a Significant Problem

According to the Global Hunger Index, hunger in Saudi Arabia is Low, with the country ranking 37 on the 2024 GHI out of the 127 countries with sufficient data to be included. The indicators comprising the GHI are proportions of the population undernourished (3% in Saudi Arabia), children under 5 stunted (10.8%), children under 5 wasted (4.5%) and children who die before their fifth birthday (0.6%). Saudi Arabia’s scores have been consistently low for decades—all indicators below 10%, except for child stunting, which has been decreasing from just below 20% in 2000.

Nutrition Issues

The 2022 Global Nutrition Report shows a slightly different picture than the GHI. Of the thirteen global nutrition targets monitored, the report shows Saudi Arabia as “off course” for seven targets and no data for three. Similar to the GHI, the country is “on course” for childhood stunting, as well as for the raised blood pressure of women. However, there has been no progress, or worsening, with regard to anemia among women aged 15 to 49. The report also measures progress towards achieving noncommunicable disease targets related to diet, and Saudi Arabia has shown only limited progress there. 

In addition, the country’s obesity prevalence is higher than the regional average: 45.5% of adult Saudi women, as compared to 10.3% for the region and 34.3% for Saudi men, compared to 7.5%. Diabetes is also an issue for adult women and men (19% and 20%, respectively). 

Consistent with the Global Nutrition Report, in November 2024, the Saudi Arabian government agency, General Authority for Statistics, published data indicating that the obesity rate of those aged 15 and above was 23.1%, with 45.1% classified as overweight. Obesity data for children aged 2 to 14 years was 14.6%, with 33.3% overweight. GASTAT also reported that only 10.2% of the population ate the recommended five or more servings of fruits and vegetables. 

Resource Challenge: Water

Water supply is a challenge for Saudi Arabia that affects domestic grain production, resulting in dependence on imports. This means that supply chain disruptions caused by external events, e.g., the war in Ukraine, impact food costs. The country’s strategy includes maintaining strong relationships with the countries supplying grain, as well as effective government policies. This has included incentives for end-users, and policies to ensure smooth trade flows of raw materials. 

Resource Challenge: Rational Consumption

The Citizen Account program was initiated by the government in 2017 to provide cash support to the “most deserving groups of citizens,” with the objective of promoting “rational consumption of resources.” Approximately $229 billion has been distributed since the inception of the program, with over $3 billion in January 2025, as the program was extended through 2025. 

An NGO Response, Local and Beyond

Eta’am is an NGO established in 2011, the first food bank in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region. The organization creates strategic alliances in order to save food from waste. It does this by distributing surplus food resources to those in need, as well as with community initiatives in the field of food support. 

In 2022, Eta’am partnered with SABB (the Saudi British Bank) to establish Riyadh’s first central catering kitchen, delivering ready-made meals prepared from food/catering companies’ surplus dry foods to people with special needs, orphans and poor families. The goal has been to reduce food waste (aimed at a half million tons of dry and canned goods) while increasing food security and reducing hunger in Saudi Arabia. 

An April 2022 Eta’am initiative distributed almost 157,000 food baskets to over 900,000 people in 19 countries centered around the holy month of Ramadan. Countries receiving food included Albania, Tajikistan (9,650 baskets of food to 51,400 people), Kosovo (13 tons of food to 220 families), and Niger (1,000 baskets to 5,000 individuals). 

In 2023, the food company Sadia partnered with Eta’am and several Saudi retailers to donate 2.5% of sales during the month of Ramadan. Retailers promoted the campaign to raise consumer awareness about the charity and to increase their participation. 

Strengthening the Kingdom: Vision 2030

Vision 2030, an “ambitious vision for an ambitious nation,” launched in 2016. A blueprint for economic diversification, it was designed in five-year phases, beginning with structural and public sector, economic and social reforms. The country is currently in the second phase, with a focus on investments in key sectors and “ambitious” projects. Eleven programs comprise the Vision, with one area being Health Sector Transformation. 

The NEOM Food Production Company launched in December 2023 to develop sustainable solutions in food production, distribution and consumption. The “Vibrant” society vision includes attention to sustainable living and to efficient health and social care systems. Strategic objectives include easing access to, and improving the value of, health care services, and strengthening prevention against health threats. 

Final Thoughts

While Hunger in Saudi Arabia is successfully being addressed, challenges remain in the areas of nutrition, food security and sustainable resource management. Issues such as obesity, diabetes and reliance on food imports highlight the importance of both government policies and private sector initiatives in ensuring long-term stability. Programs like Vision 2030 and partnerships with organizations such as those developed by Eta’am demonstrate the country’s commitment to addressing these challenges through innovation and strategic planning. Moving forward, continued investment in health, sustainability, and food security will be crucial in strengthening Saudi Arabia’s resilience and ensuring a healthier future for its population.

– Staff Reports
Photo: Flickr