The State of School Feeding Worldwide 2024 highlights that 466 million children globally now receive school meals, an increase of nearly 80 million in just four years, marking a 20% expansion. Low-income countries saw the fastest growth, with coverage rising by almost 60% since 2022. Africa recorded the largest gains, adding nearly 20 million children to programmes, while new national schemes were launched in Canada, Indonesia, and Ukraine
Annual global investment has surged to USD 84 billion, 99% of which comes from domestic budgets, underscoring strong government ownership. School meals are now widely recognized as not only a safety net but also a development tool that enhances education, nutrition, gender equity, local agriculture, and job creation. Evidence shows benefits across sectors, with cost–benefit ratios ranging from USD 3 to USD 9 per dollar spent, and in some contexts as high as USD 30.
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https://doi.org/10.71958/wfp130772