A Back of the Envelope Estimation of the Effect of Soaring Food Prices on World Hunger

This paper suggests a methodology for estimating the effects of higher food prices on global undernourishment. The paper also presents the results of its implementation. The merits and drawbacks of this methodology are also discussed. The estimations of the number of new undernourished as a result of the current agricultural commodity price boom should not be taken as official FAO estimates, but rather as an illustration of the proposed methodology, and the promotion of an ongoing discussion.