Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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September 10, 2025 Sustainable Development Goals
The number of children receiving school meals through government programmes has increased by almost 80 million compared to 2020 – a 20 per cent increase – to 466 million, according to a new edition of the World Food Programme (WFP) report, The State of School Feeding in the World. The report presents for the first time data showing that such programmes are improving not only the number of children attending school, but also the quality of their education.
Overall, nearly half of all children receiving school meals live in Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
Investments in development
Yet the biggest progress was made where it was needed most: in low-income countries, the number of children receiving school meals increased by 60 percent in two years.
"School lunches are much more than just a serving of healthy food“For vulnerable children, it is a path out of poverty and into education and opportunity,” said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain.
According to the WFP, funding for school feeding has more than doubled globally, from $43 billion in 2020 to $84 billion in 2024. Of this, 99 percent comes from national budgets. This shows that school feeding is increasingly viewed not as an external aid program, but as a public policy tool and a factor in national development. Since 2020, the number of countries that have adopted national school feeding strategies has almost doubled, from 56 to 107.
The fastest growth is being seen in countries participating in the Global School Feeding Coalition, which brings together more than 100 governments, six regional organizations and over 140 partners from different sectors.
Social and economic benefits
The report presents the first evidence showing that school meals improve the quality of education, including improving math and literacy outcomes. School meals have previously been shown to increase attendance and reduce dropout rates. The new research shows that such programmes are also highly effective in improving learning, often outperforming interventions such as teacher training or technology.
The school feeding programme is the largest social protection intervention in the world, helping countries cope with the impacts of climate crises, pandemics and conflicts, and supporting the most vulnerable children. In addition, feeding programmes create more than 7 million jobs as cooks, as well as in logistics, agriculture and supply chains.
At the same time, according to WFP estimates, every dollar invested brings between $7 and $35 in economic returns. Sustainable models, such as using local products, contribute to the formation of ecologically sound diets, the development of local food systems and the strengthening of national economies.
Girls in particular benefit from school meals – in terms of health, education and future opportunities. Women are also supported by expanding their roles in supply chains and employment, such as as cooks.
The WFP report was released ahead of the Second Global School Feeding Summit, which will take place in Brazil on 18–19 September and will provide a platform for taking stock and agreeing on next steps.
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