No. 4 Niger
Niger is one of six sub-Saharan nations facing a serious food crisis. The country relies on grain imports to supply over 90 percent of its food supply, and is thus highly sensitive to price fluctuations. Its own crop and pasture production in 2009 fell "well short of meeting human food and animal feeding needs," according to a report from USAID, thanks to low rainfall. USAID estimates that roughly 20 percent of Niger's population, over 2.7 million people, are "severely vulnerable" to food insecurity problems. Niger suffered a severe food crisis in 2005 but the United Nations has said that the country was better prepared for shortages in 2010. Global Top 5s is a monthly feature by RealClearWorld.com powered by Gallup's worldwide research. Learn more at Gallup.com.
